This position is assigned to the Perioperative Unit of the Nursing Service at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL and provides a varied range of supportive and direct care duties at the ward level in support of patient activities. NOTE: This announcement is for a 3:30 to Midnight vacancy. This announcement may be used to fill other vacancies for a similar shift with a duty location of the Chicago VA Medical Center.

Duties

Developmental GS-5 Level: The Health Technician serves in a development capacity at the GS-5 grade level of the target position. However, during the developmental assignment, full performance range and level of selected functions will not be completely delegated to the employee until proper orientation and training have been completed and the incumbent has demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the work at the full performance level. Advancement to the full performance level of the GS-6 will be recommended only after it has been determined that the incumbent meets all regulatory and statutory requirements, is satisfactorily progressing in the training, is successfully performing the currently assigned range of duties as outlined in the target position of Health Technician, position description number 09218-A, and is capable of taking on expanded duties and responsibilities with greater independence. Major Duties at the full-performance level GS-6: The Health Technician is a non-licensed member of the nursing care team and performs a wide range of direct and indirect patient care activities and related supportive services. Specific duties include but are not limited to: Performs a wide range of support to patient care through transporting of patients to diagnostic examinations. Performs diagnostic support duties, such as vital signs, I/O, and finger stick glucose testing. Identifies the patient using 2 identifie4rs. Performs vein puncture to obtain a blood specimen from a patient after clearly explaining the procedure. Correctly labels the specimen. Identifies the patient using 2 identifiers. Explains the procedure to the patient. Places a saline lock into a peripheral vein and flushes it with a 10cc normal saline to maintain patency. Documents procedure in electronic medical records system such as CPRS. Makes patient rounds daily and checks for outdated IV saline locks and change as needed. Performs quality control tests for Precision Glucometer as directed. Performs accu-checks. Performs vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, etc. Uses sterilization methods to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Provides competent educational instructions to patient on personal hygiene, proper self-aftercare and provides emotional support and understanding. Performs 12-lead EKG and has skill in operating, maintaining, and performing quality checks of finger stick glucose instruments and EKG machines. Communicates and assists customers, visitors, and staff in a courteous and professional manner. Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly work environment through routine maintenance activities. Practices correct infection control techniques. Maintains and stores medical supply items and or equipment. Identifies patients using 2 identifiers prior to performing procedures. Observes and reports on simple reactions and changes to Clinician. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time - 3:30 PM to Midnight - may include weekends and holidays. Work schedule will be discussed at interview. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Perioperative Unit/PD23007A Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

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. Possession of current American Heart Association (AHA) and Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) is highly desirable and preferred. Preferred Experience: Experience in obtain blood specimens and placing saline lock into a peripheral vein is highly desirable and preferred, but not required. GS-05 Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skill, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the Health Technician position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service to qualify at the Grade-5. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performs a variety of procedures that includes collecting, labeling, and recording for proper analysis; collecting and recording vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, etc.; collecting specimens such as blood, sputum or urine samples; understanding aseptic and sterilization techniques; observing and reporting reactions and changes in patient to the Clinical staff; and ability to perform procedures such as phlebotomy, maintaining and operating EKG, placing saline lock in peripheral vein, performing intravenous catheter lines, etc.; and communicates and assists customers, visitors and staff in a courteous and professional manner. -- OR- GS-05 Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the Health Technician position. This would include course work such as human anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Transcripts Required. --OR- GS-05 Combination Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Must have a combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the 2nd year) -AND-- specialized experience which meets the total experience requirements for this grade level. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Transcripts Required. GS-06 Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skill, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the Health Technician position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service to qualify at the Grade-6. Examples of specialized experience include (but are not limited to): Proficient in performing phlebotomy and placing saline lock into peripheral vein; experience taking and recording vital signs; proven ability to operate specialized equipment and instruments such as pulse ox meter, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, scale, height, EKG, etc.; collecting and recording blood, sputum or urine samples; working with equipment, diagnostic, and treatment procedures commonly used in the nursing service; experience in positions that required knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology; performing a variety of procedures that include collecting, labeling, and recording for proper analysis; using aseptic and sterilization techniques to prevent cross contamination and spread of infection; providing competent educational instructions to patients; and communicates and assists customers, visitors and staff in a courteous and professional manner. Note: As a general rule education is not qualifying in this occupation at the GS-6 grade level. Graduate level education or an internship may meet the specialized experience required above the GS-5 grade level only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the Health Technician position. If utilizing education or internship to qualify for this position, transcripts and or certification of internship must be provided with your application package. 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. Physical Demands: The work involves periods of standing as well as considerable walking, bending, stooping, stretching, lifting (not to exceed 20 lbs. Moving of patients using Safe Patient Handling Equipment. The work also requires agility and dexterity to handle complex medical instruments. Work Environment: Involves regular and recurring exposure to infections and contagious diseases, as well as working with infectious substances, irritant reagents, and potentially emotionally disturbed patients. The technician is required to follow infection control policies relating to the use of universal precautions and posted isolation practices. These policies may require the wearing of protective gowns, gloves, masks, and eyewear.

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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Marie Hruzek
• Phone: 414-712-8296
• Email: [email protected]