Education Technician – Simulation

Summary

The position of Education Technician – Simulation resides in the Nursing Education Department, under the office of the Chief of Nursing Education for the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) at the full performance level. This position focuses on providing professional educational and technical knowledge to assist in the operation and further development of the education program, with major emphasis on simulation instruction and clinical skills development.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Creates moulage for standardized patients and manikins and provides instructional guidance to others on the creation and usage of moulage techniques and training.
• Prepares and maintains clinical simulation equipment, media, computers, and materials related to simulation learning and instruction.
• Assists students, staff and faculty with all forms of simulation work, training and education and provides technical and administrative support to faculty in preparation for simulation training experiences.
• Assists training faculty and educators in the use of clinical simulation equipment.
• Assists instructor(s) in operating simulator-based clinical education of trainees.
• Executes simulation by operating simulation control room and equipment, recording simulation activities, monitoring safety of participants and participating in scenarios.
• Performs post-simulation activities such as debriefing playbacks, administering student and faculty evaluations, cataloging recordings and returning lab to pre-scenario conditions.
• Supports and assists in role playing, prop placement and moulage set-up to simulate a healthcare setting.
• Tests equipment per established periodicity and policy, assuring that simulation capabilities of the center are in working order.
• Programs simulation software to model clinical simulators’ physiological responses to instructor specifications.
• Installs software and hardware upgrades and maintains functionality of manikin components as directed by manufacturer’s support.
• Conducts tours and clinical simulation sessions for internal/external stakeholders, groups, or individuals.
• Establishes and maintains inventory of supplies and equipment as needed for clinical simulation.
• Collaborates with departmental staff, facility POCs and external entities on the maintenance and repair of clinical simulation equipment.
• Inputs data into Talent Management System (TMS), various simulation software solution database(s) and simulation BLS/ACLS/RQI and performs report generation and file maintenance.
• Responsible for the creation, implementation, practice, and staff instruction of the simulation center equipment decontamination procedures including technical skills and accurate documentation.
• Reports on the status of usage of equipment and supplies; works with internal/external sourcing contacts for the routine selection and ordering of equipment, replacement parts, and supplies required for the operation of the center.
• Works closely with Simulation Nurse Educator and Service Chief on equipment intake and send-outs, accurate equipment inventory logs, and prepares proper documents for Electronic Inventory Lists to be modified when needed.
• Manages the Simulation Center’s supplies and equipment as evidenced via inventory of supplies/equipment records, organizing, ordering, and restocking, and assessing needs of the end-users.
• Operates and maintains audiovisual equipment used in clinical simulation with prioritization by the Simulation Manager and Service Chief.
• Work Schedule: Full-Time, 8 Hour Shifts, Monday – Friday, Times negotiable based on educational needs.
• Mobile support required for Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) stations and training. Mobility up to 20%.
• Compressed/Flexible: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Education Technician – Simulation/PD137400 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
• In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.
• The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination.
• Driver’s License Requirement: Must posses valid state issued driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.(Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package.) Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility. All other VA employees. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

All other applicants. Note: Veterans’ Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies but will be applied to all other applications. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Teamwork Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50’s do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50’s include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50’s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.
• Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
• It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.
• Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.
• HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
• HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties.
• VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.
• HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.
• HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students.
• HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
• Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.
• The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.
• Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.