Health Aid (Escort)

Summary

The incumbent functions within the philosophy, goals, and objectives of Nursing Service as well as the overall patient experience philosophy of Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System and is a key part of maintaining quality throughout the continuum of care. This position will report directly to the Nurse Manager of Recruitment and Healthcare Services but will support every clinic within the Medical Center including all ambulatory clinics and all inpatient wards and Emergency areas.

Duties

• Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Assist staff with transporting patients who are unable to move throughout the medical center for any reason, including (but not limited to): being wheelchair bound, being in an impatient bed.
• being unfamiliar with the medical center and needing ambulatory assistance due to the risk of falls.
• Provides guidance to other staff members regarding the appropriate level of assistance needed to transfer the patient (independent transfer, two-person assist, etc.) and the appropriate means (e.g., wheelchair, stretcher, or bed) required to transport the patient.
• Facilitates a timely transport of the patient by getting the patient from his/her room.
• Escorts discharged patients from the ward to their mode of transportation at a designated hospital entrance/parking lot, transfers patient belongings and home equipment and ensures the patient safely transfers into the vehicle.
• Ensures that all medical equipment (oxygen cannulas, masks, and oxygen tanks or indwelling/ex-dwelling catheters, etc.) is correctly and safely positioned for transport and operating properly.
• Responsible for the proper use, storage, cleaning and disposal of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME)/ Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) such as but not limited to wheelchairs, stretchers/litters, and hospital beds. communicate to the supervisor of required work orders for any RMEs that need to be repaired or ordered based on patient workload.
• Responsible for knowing how to use computer system, telephone, and other communication systems (such as Vocera) to coordinate the timely transportation of patients using the healthcare system tracking methods.
• Consult Infection Control for clarification of SOPs or guidelines in the clinical areas that address the reprocessing of RME in the clinical areas as needed.
• Provide good customer service and patient experience while transporting patient and working as a direct representative of the healthcare system by acting as a concierge to all patients, families, vendors, stakeholders, and other visitors.
• Must be able to evaluate request for information and redirect inquires as necessary and appropriate to ensure a proper response is provided.
• Adheres to safety and infection control policies Uses Standard Precautions and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or other precautions when indicated. Work Schedule: 7:30am – 4:00pm Monday – Friday Position Description/PD#: Health Aid (Escort)/PD14368A and PD14368A.

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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
• A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 dentification 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) Per 5 CFR 330.502, general restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• USA Hire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

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/.

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) Other (1) Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans’ Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans’ Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• 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.
• 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.