The New Mexico VA Health Care System is searching for a Health Technician (HT) to serve within the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) interdisciplinary team.

Duties

Performance of Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting to nurses and physicians vital signs, obtain specimens, draw and label specimens for laboratory processing. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of appropriate nursing personnel. Observes and monitors patients for signs of adverse reaction to medication and treatment, identifies subtle changes regarding patients condition, and reports observations to appropriate nursing personnel. Takes corrective action based on established policy and experience. Records results and ensures that documentation is part of medical record. Arranges and passes medical instruments and materials to medical/health professionals for a variety of tests and procedures, such as wound care and skin debridement. Provide comfort, protect patients against infections, and provide necessary nursing care. Performs selected tasks that involve a high degree of specialization (aggressive pulmonary toileting, monitors post operative care patients, myocutaneous rotation flap and split thickness skin graft surgeries, ventilator patients, etc). Set up, operate, and monitor medical equipment designated as part of a patient's treatment regimen. This will include oxygen, tube feedings, obtaining EKG's, and use of portable suction and glucose monitoring devices. Independently administers prescribed treatments. Makes determinations where instructions or guidelines are only general in nature and do not contain specific details. Positions Patients for Procedures Explains procedures and positions patients for tests using cushions/shields as necessary. Responds to emergency situations such as autonomic dysreflexia, respiratory failure/distress, hemorrhaging, hypo/hypertension, and hypo/hyperglycemia assisting in resuscitative measures. Clerical and Administrative Support Provides clerical and administrative support to the unit through coverage of telephones, arranging transport of patients to off ward appointments, and documentation of care/treatment in medical record. Assists patients in contacting members of their treatment team or social services as needed. Ensures that appointments and tests are scheduled, and that activities and appointments do not conflict with patient treatment plans. Assures that all forms have required patient demographics. Utilizes the computer to electronically perform the following: Laboratory results, Radiology examinations and procedures, Input patient data, Retrieval of patient information Patient Education Performs direct patient support to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care, and educating patients on pre-testing and post-procedure activities. Teaches patients and family members the necessity of continuing proper health care through follow-up care. Provides necessary education on nutrition, care of skin to prevent breakdown and bowel and bladder programs as it relates to the specific disease process(es). Patient Care Provides complete personal hygiene, including bowel and bladder needs. Tums and positions patients to maintain proper body alignment. Lifts, ambulates, and transfers patients using proper body mechanics, equipment, and transfer techniques. Promotes physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual and groups of patients self-care activities ( e.g., progressive steps in personal hygiene, bathing, oral care, eating, dressing, undressing, bowel and bladder training and wound care). Prepares patients for meals and feeds and assists those requiring help. Measure, records, and reports vital signs, weights, leg measurements, neurological checks, and circulatory checks Maintain accurate daily records of each daily encounter ( e.g., written and electronic). Applies external urinary devices or inserts foley catheters, suprapubic catheters and nasogastric tubes. Cares for drainage apparatus' and change according to SCI policy. Accurately measures and records intake and output. Prepares patient for discontinuation of urinary devices, nasogastric tubes, and hep-locks, and gives enemas and bowel care. Performs dressing changes excluding those that require medication or on intravenous sites. Performs suctioning of oralphamyx, excluding tracheal suctioning, quad cough as needed. Provides nursing care to patients receiving intravenous (IV) therapy. Applies immobilization devices for stabilization. Provide post-mortem care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Outpatient Health Technician (Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder)/PD04732A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/03/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge and principles of effective communication in order to provide emotional support to patients' families through therapeutic conversation; and works effectively with interdisciplinary team members and those who provide supportive services; Technical knowledge of medical instruments and equipment to support procedures, medical interventions, and health support devices; Ability to identify patient safety through family support; Experience in identifying and eliminating clinical deficiencies for performance improvement; Knowledge of nursing policies and procedures. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clinical Data Collection/DocumentationCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareTechnical Competence 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. Physical Requirements: Good vision and hearing are required to collect patient data. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work requires frequent walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, stretching, pushing, turning, and at times lifting heavy equipment or patients. The work requires the use of good body mechanics and stamina to withstand stress. Transporting patients to procedures is necessary. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Jasmin Theodore
• Phone: 562-826-8000 X14362
• Email: [email protected]