The incumbent is assigned to Sterile Processing Service and supports both the Medical and Surgical Service as the Health Technician for the Gastrointestinal (GI) and Genitourinary (GU) Endoscopy Unit, minor surgery and procedures clinics, and the wound care clinic at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) Austin Outpatient Clinic (AOPC). Incumbent will report to and is supervised by the Nurse Manager, AOPC and/or designee.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Procedural Care/Direct Patient Care Participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing procedures under the general supervision of the endoscopy/surgical team. Functions as a primary scrub person, responsible for handling and ordering instruments, supplies and equipment for a variety procedures such as, but not limited to endoscopy, urology, hysteroscopy, and minor surgical procedures. Will prepare and assist in the performance of preparing patients for genitourinary examination and procedures including cystoscopy, urodynamic studies, bladder and prostate ultrasound equipment and trans-rectal prostate biopsy equipment. Performs bladder catheterizations and assists with urethral dilatations' using catheters, ultrasound, or filiform and followers as needed under order of the Urologist. Assists in outpatient care, changing dressings, etc. as ordered by the physician. Assists in collecting urine and performing urinalysis and prepares microscopic examination on selected patients. Orders, stocks and retrieves disposable instruments, supplies and medications used for multiple types of procedures, coordinating with Sterile Processing Service, Supply and Distribution Service and Pharmacy to ensure all items for procedures are in stock and available for scheduled and urgent procedures performed daily. Assists with the retrieval and labeling of precious specimens (irretrievable specimens) and therefore, requires knowledge of various types of specimens and appropriate means of preserving, packaging and labeling the specimen for the histology and cytology sections of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). Responsible for accounting of all sharps and equipment during the minor surgical procedure. Assists the surgeon/physician by performing such procedures as suctioning, holding, retractors or scopes, applying skin staples and cutting sutures. Participate in the procedural role by evaluating the needs of the patient and assisting in patient positioning and preparation of specialized support equipment necessary for procedures. Interacts with numerous health care personnel, all levels of students, many who have no knowledge of aseptic/sterile techniques and their movements must be constantly directed. May teach or assist in training aseptic technique to other service technicians in areas such as radiology. Participates in the trial process of new products or equipment ensuring policy and procedure are followed. Initiate and implement new preference cards/new case cart systems, working independently with Sterile Processing Service (SPS) following policy and procedure. Actively participates in departmental cost containment, process improvement and risk management programs. Transports patients pre-procedurally and post-procedurally acquiring needed supplies, medications, reports and equipment throughout the procedural process, utilizing safe patient handling guidelines. Positions patients in various modalities for particular surgery or procedural access. Utilize appropriate assistive devices including but not limited to; lifts, transfer devices, and other personnel, to promote safety of patient and personnel. Administrative Maintenance Management Participate in educational opportunities for the service. Initiates and implements in-services related to inter-service needs in endoscopy/minor surgery, e.g., collaborates with SPS, and MSD&E technicians, laboratory, infection prevention and control and housekeeping. Reports any work-related injuries, illnesses and diseases to the supervisor at the time of occurrence and ensures that working conditions and work practices within the worksite are such that the possibility of on-the-job injuries is-minimized. The incumbent is responsible for protecting privacy data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration, or deletion and to follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, etc., as set out in a computer agreement which the employee has signed. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, and extended hours based on needs of service and organization. Tours of duty include 7:30am - 4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm, 08:30am - 5:00pm, or 9:30am - 6:00pm. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Special Procedures B/PD08108A Physical Requirements: The position requires standing for long periods, lifting, pushing, walking, bending, stooping, transferring and transporting patients and heavy equipment. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. He/she must be emotionally stable and able to adjust to different types of personalities/behaviors using cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and empathy. He/she must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action.

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

Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. Minimum Qualification Requirements: Specialized experience: 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: Providing assistance to the physician and other members of the team during endoscopy, urology, hysteroscopy, and minor surgical procedures; Maintaining a constant awareness of the clinical condition of the patient and promptly notifies the registered nurse(RN)/physician of any patient changes or developments; Identifying and/or correcting actual or potential safety hazards; Performing patient care as directed/assigned; Setting up and maintaining a sterile field with all required instruments, supplies and equipment for each procedure; Utilizing universal precautions and following all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment.OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level. One full year of graduate education where classes taken are directly related to the work of the position.OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 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-07. 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/.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]