The Health Technician positions are located in the Emergency Department of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. The Health Technician will be assigned to Nursing Service and work under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department and will function under the direct leadership of a registered professional nurse. ** Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates only ** *** Full time and Part time positions available ***

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to: Operates Equipment and Assists Medical or Nursing Staff with or Performs Diagnostic Procedures The incumbent provides support to licensed personnel by operating equipment and assisting medical/nursing staff with or performing diagnostics procedures. Health Care Procedures The incumbent with independently and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse perform a variety of health care procedures. Personal Patient Care The incumbent will perform personal patient care duties. Clerical/Administrative Support and Coordination The incumbent will provide administrative and clerical support. Maintains Patient Records and Patient Care Documentation The incumbent will follow all established TVHS policies and procedures related to patient records and documentation Customer Service The incumbent maintains contacts with patients, staff, and other individuals within and outside the medical center in a concerned, compassionate, respectful and helpful manner. Demonstrates regard for privacy and confidentiality in all matters in accordance with all applicable policies and regulations. Teaches Patients Proper Health Care Practices and Mentors New Health Technicians The incumbent will be responsible for providing patient education as directed. He/she will mentor and precept new staff in the appropriate policies and procedures within the Emergency Department as well as Minneapolis VA Medical Center policies and procedures. Reusable Medical Equipment The incumbent will be responsible for following established policies and procedures related to the handling and processing of reusable medical equipment. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designated by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved with the reprocessing of RME are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area. Work Schedule: Full Time:Days and/or Evenings, to be discussed during interview. OR Part Time: Days and or Evenings - 16 hours per week Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (ED) - Recruitment Incentive/60704A Incentives: Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates only Bargaining Unit Position: Yes, under AFGE

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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 Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/08/2023, or the indicated cut-off dates for review. GS6 Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Qualifying specialized experience includes, but may not be limited to: applying basic knowledge of basic anatomy/physiology and medical techniques to support direct patient care and communication with patients, staff and family members; utilizing, setting up and maintaining various types of equipment and instruments used in the ER; entering specific information into patient records using appropriate terminology; performing tests in emergent situations, including phlebotomy, spirometry and EKG. **Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled OR, Education - Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level: You musthave successfully completed half a year (1/2) of graduate level education that is directly related to the work of this position. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (Transcripts Required) OR, Combination of Experience and Education - Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level: You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as listed above. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required) **** Preferred Experience: 2 years ICU/Step Down experience preferred Emergency Department experience preferred Diagnostic Medical TestingEmergency CareInfection ControlTechnical Competence 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. 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. Physical Requirements: Work requires extensive periods of standing. It also requires regular walking, bending, lifting and carrying of items that may exceed 45 pounds. The work requires above agility and dexterity. The employee may be scheduled to work varying hours/tours of duty and may be required to work overtime to complete the daily schedule. Work Environment: Work is performed in a hospital setting (emergency room) where regular and recurring exposure to contagious and infectious diseases is present that requires special safety precautions. Special gloves, gowns, masks, and use of aseptic techniques may be required

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
* Please ensure a graduation/completion date is clearly seen on your transcript.

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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Tracy Casady
• Phone: 402-995-4028
• Email: [email protected]