Position is located within the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP), a 64-bed residential facility which operates an 18-bed homeless program, a 20-bed residential substance abuse program, 18-bed PTSD programs, and 8-beds for the Restorative Pain program. The Health Technician performs a variety of clinical, laboratory, and administrative work in support of the inpatient services provided to Veterans within the MHRRTP.

Duties

Major duties include but is not limited to: Clinical (70%) Performs a wide range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, reporting, and recording vital signs and any deviations to lead RN, medical provider, or supervisor, obtaining laboratory specimens and preparing them for transport to the laboratory by labeling and sealing within biohazard bags. Performs Point of Care- 14 test Urine Drug Screens to determine illicit substances used by the Veteran and reporting this ordering provider. Arranges and passes medical instruments or supplies to medical provider or registered nurse during procedures such as dressing changes, wound care, nail care/clipping, foot care, and post-operative patient care management. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, documents observations, and reports these to medical provider and treatment team members. Gathers diagnostic information for medical providers by monitoring Veterans using specialized machines including continuous pulse oximetry monitoring, point of care whole blood glucose testing, orthostatic blood pressure monitoring, halter monitoring, and 12-lead EKG. Independently performs direct patient care activities including intakes, breathalyzers, obtaining vital signs, 12-lead EKGs, educational reminders, medication reconciliation, and any other procedures requested by provider or supervisor. Correctly documents all findings in the Veteran's electronic medical record. In the event of an emergency, initiates first aid and basic life support training, personal protective equipment as indicated, and additional support devices such as an automatic electronic defibrillator. Monitors Veterans taking regularly scheduled prescribed medications and observes Veterans self-administer medications, such as insulin, under the supervision of nursing or pharmacy staff. Provides crisis intervention in situations of a medical, psychiatric, and/or behavioral nature. Recognizes signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and can identify Veterans most at risk of an opioid overdose. Independently explains procedures and plan of care at appropriate literacy level for the patient. Provides an encouraging presence on the unit and regularly engages with Veterans to ensure their behavior, treatment, and social adjustment is in line with their treatment goals. Administrative (30%) Provides general supportive clerical/administrative support for the MHRRTP. Assists patients with contacting members of their treatment team, their patient advocate, or social services, as needed. Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries via multiple modalities (fax, email, telephone, or secure messaging), and makes referrals. Supports and participates in facility programs and responsibilities regarding safety, quality improvement, risk management, infection control, policy and procedure revisions, staff meetings, inter-service meetings, continuing education, and other functions as they arise. Performs regular administrative functions, e.g. processes residents for clearance, completes entries in communication log, completes progress notes. Maintains clinical and administrative files. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Work schedule will be determined by the Nurse Manager and discussed during the interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD41369A Physical Requirements: Overall duties require occasional lifting, carrying 50+ lbs., sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, climbing ladders, kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, pulling/pushing, simple grasping, and reaching above shoulder. Conditions may also include heat, cold, excess humidity, work with chemicals, dust, noise, driving a vehicle, fire manipulation. Flexibility, tact, initiative and critical thinking are needed to perform duties with residents with wide range of diagnostic categories.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 08/23/2023. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal service that has required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: performing both clerical and clinical duties in a medical/healthcare environment; answering and directing phone calls; scheduling appointments; documenting medical records; and taking and recording vital signs. NOTE: 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. OR, Education: Successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college, or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR, Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts required. 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. Note: 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Abigail Brown
• Phone: (541) 440-1000 X40617
• Email: [email protected]