The employee in this position is a member of the nursing team and assists the Registered Nurse in the care of patients in the Urology area. The employee performs aspects of care, which require understanding of complex patient treatment programs, an understanding of physical and behavioral concepts, which are essential to individualizing nursing care. The employee has advanced skills and is able to identify changes in the patient physical and mental condition.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the development of the patient plan of care pre, intra and post procedure. Participates in the preventive screening, patient and family education during pre and post procedure process. Assists providers and nurses in the performance of Urology procedures by performing duties such as; monitoring vital signs of the patients prior to the procedure and inform any abnormal vital sign to the physician or charge nurse, look for the instruments, equipment and supplies to be used in the urology clinic and cystoscopy procedure rooms, change dressings, perform catheterization and discontinue foleys, take urine samples/cultures according medical orders. Assist the Urologist in the following procedures; change of cystostomy, perform cystometrogram, uretrogram, urethrocystogram, urethral calibration, meatal, urethral, and perinea! dilatation, bladder scan, and bladder irrigation, and performs uroflow. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment. Set sterile field with all required items for each procedure, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups. Deliver surgical specimens to Histopathology department. Charts patient's pertinent information regarding urologic procedures in the electronic medical record, using proper CPT codes for each procedure encounter. Escorts patients to Emergency Department, Operating Room, or Psychiatric lnterventional Center (PIC) as necessary. Attends the infection control training and complies with the Universal Standard Precaution Policy. Follows established Standard Operating Procedures in the disinfection of critical and non-critical reusable medical equipment (RME). Contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by identifying and eliminating safety hazards. Follows Medical Center policies related to fire, disaster, safety, security, and infection control. Follows Nursing Service policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines. Practice safe patient handling and movement techniques appropriately. Participates in Performance Improvement (Pl) activities in order to maintain quality of patient care. Adheres to Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) practices in the performance of duties and in all interactions conducted as a VA employee. Assists providers and nurses in the care and treatment of the Urology patients. Observes and reports to the Registered Nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes while awaiting assistance. Provides nursing treatment for patients whose need and require advanced skill. Performs select complex sterile dressings, assists with placing patient on the cardiac monitor and EKG, inserts urinary catheters, irrigates catheters, sets up and regulates oxygen, ostomies irrigation and oral and nasal pharyngeal suctioning, etc. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday day shift and extended hours Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Urology)/PD672-07812-A Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, crouching, reaching, walking, standing, stretching, pushing, turning and repositioning patients, or similar activities. It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs / litters and transporting them to other departments. The position may require the incumbent to walk within the clinic area to and from the Operating room and Radiology service area. Long periods of standing while performing studies. Pushing moderately large urological equipment/supplies, which exceed 40 pounds such as video monitoring cart, pharmaceutical supplies, boxes that content urology supplies. Incumbents be able to manage patient with restraints or emotionally disturbed to prevent aggressive behavior toward others and self. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to enable the incumbent to perform his/ her duties. The technician is required to wear heavy leaded protective radiological attire.

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-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 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: Individual Occupational Requirements: 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. In addition to the IOR you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 1) Objectively analyzes and evaluates an issue in order to form an opinion/judgment/conclusion; Uses logic and reasoning to research, interpret and apply information such as regulatory and/or procedural guidance; Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; Integrates information into development of a resolution. 2) Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise (for example, engineering, physical science, law, or accounting); maintains credibility with others on technical matters. 3) Promotes infection prevention and control. Demonstrates application of the principles of infection control in all activities (i.e. proper hand washing procedures, etc.). Understands and utilizes standard precautions and uses proper protective equipment. 4) Demonstrates mastery of interpersonal interaction, encourages diversity, develops collaborative relationships, and contributes to a culture of civility and trust. Preferred Experience: If you have this experience, please ensure it is noted in your resume. Spoken Spanish proficiency Previous experience working in the Operating Room Knowledge of urological procedures 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

There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 level.

Contacts

• Address San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Rebecca Bretzer
• Phone: 407-319-3059
• Email: [email protected]