The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center is recruiting for Health Technicians. Health Technicians will work as a member of Patient Care Service (PACT).

Duties

The Health Technician performs a variety of clinical, laboratory, and administrative work in support of outpatient services. Skill and precision in using phlebotomy needles, tools, materials and equipment is required to perform major duties of the position. Performs a wide range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting vital sign deviations to provider obtaining specimens and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Scrubs in clinic schedule with other clinical staff. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, documents observations and communicates to practitioners. Uses hot and cold packs, changes sterile dressings, cares for patients, and sets up and gives treatments that require auxiliary equipment. Performs a variety of specialized tests and procedures such as monofilament testing, and doppler exam of the extremity artery. Gather's diagnostic information using specialized equipment such as (but not limited to) pulse oximetry, bladder scanner, and ECG machine. Monitors patient for adverse reactions, recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the appropriate medical health care professionals. Records results and ensures that they are made a part of the EMR. Maintains rapport with other clinical staff and participates in clinical staff communication and training efforts. Participates in ongoing clinical education and training as directed by the Clinical Nurse Manager. May be required to travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) to support PACT. Independently performs direct patient care activities including intake, obtaining vital signs, ECGs, and clinical reminders. Correctly documents all findings in the electronic health record. Reports deviations to the nurse or provider. Adheres to safety and infection control procedures. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex, non-routine patient situations including subtle changes in patient's behavior or condition or variations related to neurological signs, vital signs, or other parameters. Recognizes signs and symptoms that may require nursing intervention and reports these signs and symptoms promptly to nurse or provider for possible intervention. measures. Assist medical personnel in emergent situations as well as performing occasional minor to moderate de-escalation of agitated Veterans. Responds to medical urgencies/emergencies, initiates BLS and activates emergency medical system. Positions patient for procedures by explaining procedures, secures patients confidence and cooperation during procedures. Performs sterile field set up and assist provider with procedures. Provides the patient with privacy and emotional support. Transports patients via wheelchair and/or accompanies ambulatory patients in need of assistance to various areas within the facility. Performs patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying dressings, adjusting simple supportive equipment. Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care, and educating patients on pre-testing and post procedure activities. Performs test on patients such as Snellen and Ishihara's Color Deficiency. Takes tissue cultures or specimen samples. Fits patients for medical devices such as compression hose, blood pressure machines and braces/splints. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD92121-A Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires an ongoing mix of potentially long-periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and reaching over head. All patient care activities require PC keyboard and mouse use for data entry in the electronic patient record. Occasional heavy lifting will be required, particularly for patient transfers. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patient who are combative. In some instances, interaction with patients, caregivers, and staff can become intense, and the employee may be placed in a position of stress. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: skill and precision in using phlebotomy needles, tools, materials; taking, recording, and reporting vital sign deviations to provider; obtaining specimens and labeling specimens for the laboratory; uses hot and cold packs, changes sterile dressings, cares for patients, and sets up and gives treatments that require auxiliary equipment; gathering diagnostic information using specialized equipment such as (but not limited to) pulse oximetry, bladder scanner, and ECG machine; monitors patient for adverse reactions, recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the appropriate medical health care professionals; records results and ensures that they are made a part of the EMR; independently performs direct patient care activities including intake, obtaining vital signs, ECGs, clinical reminders, and medication reconciliation; correctly documents all findings in the electronic health record; reports deviations to the nurse or provider; adheres to safety and infection control procedures; identifies and reports data relative to more complex, non-routine patient situations including subtle changes in patient's behavior or condition or variations related to neurological signs, vital signs, or other parameters; recognizes signs and symptoms that may require nursing intervention and reports these signs and symptoms promptly to nurse or provider for possible intervention. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 grade level with 6 months (9 semester hours) of graduate level education that is directly related to the position being filled. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 grade level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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.

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 John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Amanda Wiard
• Phone: 260-750-3579
• Email: [email protected]