The primary purpose of the position is to perform various routine and non-routine patient care activities, procedures and tasks for which they have been deemed competent, and which do not require the judgment and skill of a licensed health care professional. The incumbent functions day to day under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and reports to the Nurse Manager in the assigned clinical area for administrative and overall technical supervision.

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES Direct Patient Care- Diagnostic Testing and Therapeutic Processes. Supports professional, licensed providers, both nurses and physicians in designated clinical area using diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment to perform non-invasive Electrocardiograms and Bladder Scans according to established procedures. Applies basic orthopedic splints and performs dressing changes in designated areas. Performs phlebotomy in designated areas. Performs Point of Care (POC) testing using glucometer and I-Stat devices and CLIA-waived testing as authorized, according to established unit procedures. Documents treatments, procedures, and/or telemetry identification conducted by the incumbent in the electronic medical record. Provides non-professional medical and technical support to professional staff during diagnosis and treatment of patients. Recognizes and informs appropriate multidisciplinary health care team of deviations from baseline screening parameters. Prepares and sets up equipment, etc., for procedures performed by licensed providers, including laceration repair, chest tube insertion, lumbar puncture, etc. Care and treatment of patients with critical and emergent conditions. The incumbent assists professional, licensed providers, including nursing staff and physicians, in the care and treatment of the critically ill and those with emergent needs. Observes and reports to the provider changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. Reports observations of the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage; deviation in baseline cardiac rhythm, pulse, skin tone and integrity, respiration, temperature, blood pressure, protection and patency of airway; and changes in wounds. Performs standardized treatment procedures requiring considerable training and experience such as performing pharyngeal (mouth cavity) suctions, setting up pulse oximetry, and observing cardiac waveforms; obtains, reads, measures, and interprets electrocardiogram monitoring. Identifies life-threatening dysrhythmias; activates the appropriate codes and/or steps required to call for definitive help; initiates appropriate action according to established procedures. Performs Basic Life Support, including the operation of the Automated External Defibrillator (or equivalent); applicable protocols are observed. Performs procedures as indicated and pre-authorized, through prior competency assessment. Incumbent utilizes the paging system, answers phones and call lights. Patient Communicaton. Empowers patients and their families, encouraging them to acknowledge and address personal healthcare issues and embrace recommended follow up as well as self-care. Incumbent strives to enhance the customer experience with positive human interactions and therapeutic alliances, promoting the coordination, continuity and integration of care. Ancillary Support- Documentation and Record Keeping. The incumbent performs administrative tasks and manages various support functions for clinic or practice such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken. Initiates work orders, following up to ensure the work is completed. Orders and maintains supplies for unit. Coordinates with Medical Support Assistants to ensure patient tracking is initiated during check-in, scheduling of appointments for procedures, provider evaluations, etc., from other services. Provides guidance to other HT staff and serves as the technical resource in specialized equipment/ supply maintenance, operation, and quality assurance monitoring. The care provided frequently involves setting up, operating, maintaining, and calibrating various types of medical equipment under direct supervision of the Registered Nurse, including telemetry and pulse oximetry monitors, surgical wound suction equipment, traction, electrocardiogram machines, bladder scanners, per manufacturers recommendations. Applies hypothermia blankets and orthopedic appliances, such as splints under RN supervision. Work Schedule: Tour time and days to be discussed during the interview process Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD92902A Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift 35 lbs., perform the following: pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulders and laterally, use of fingers, both hands, arms, and legs, sitting, walking, and standing for long periods. Also, he/she must able to hear whispered voices (with or without a hearing aid), kneeling, repeated bending, ability for rapid mental/muscular coordination simultaneously, visual requirements for monitoring observation, depth perception, and ability to distinguish shades of color due to equipment wiring.

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. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. To qualify for the GS-0640 occupational series, applicants MUST possess the following: 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. 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: Knowledge of anatomy and physiology to include location and function of major body organs and structures, as well as familiarity with medical terminology, common diseases, disorders, and related conditions. Technical knowledge of Cardiac rhythm interpretation, skill in lead placement for 12 Lead electrocardiogram and telemetry monitoring, monitor alarm parameters, operation and maintenance of cardiopulmonary and electrocardiogram equipment. Technical knowledge and skill in Pulse oximetry monitoring, incentive spirometry, bladder scans, etc. Ability to perform testing (e.g., finger stick blood glucose testing, point of care troponin testing) reporting results RN according to policy and reporting critical values to Registered Nurse. Ability to take vital sign measurements, identify deviation from norms, documentation requirements, and procedure for reporting results in both routine and emergent situations. Ability to recognize common life-threatening emergencies and ability to provide initial response; knowledge of emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary failure, hemorrhaging, and shock and how to perform and/or assist in the performance of resuscitation measures. Ability to provide for safe patient handling including patient transfers and transportation by wheelchair and/or gurney. Skill in operating safe patient handling equipment. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 9 semester hours of graduate education. NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. 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-06. 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

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Autumn Snyder
• Phone: 989-306-3612
• Email: [email protected]