The Emergency Department (ED) Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) is assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This position serves as an advanced technician for the ED for patients who are present for treatment.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Patient Screening: Duties include performing observation-based screening and collecting patient information in collaboration with licensed personnel. This may involve obtaining patient health history for chief complaints, medication history, and information about health-related or high-risk conditions that may impact the patient's health status. The incumbent will complete approved templates and tools, for example the MiniCog screening established by the agency. Mental Health Services: The incumbent assists in behavioral/psychiatric situations in an emergency setting. This can include assisting licensed personnel with crisis intervention, assists with the management of aggressive or suicidal psychiatric patients, by providing one-to-one observations and applying prevention and management of disruptive behavior techniques (PMDB). The incumbent performs duties focused on communication techniques required to complete the questioners and templates approved for use in the ED, including active listening, restating, and mirroring. The incumbent will maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for the patient while promoting a sense of worth and dignity under the supervision of the licensed personnel. Clinical Tasks: The incumbent assists ED licensed personnel with the delivery of care to patients with complex, specialized, and potentially life-threatening situations. This may include setting up equipment and passing instruments in the event of: cardioversions, insertion of thoracostomy tubes, or initiation of mechanical ventilation to restore normal physiological function or prevent deterioration of patient's condition. Assists with airway management using bag-valve-mask (BVM), oral airway or nasal airway. May use pulse oximetry, capnometry, capnography, and/or other secondary confirmation methods to ensure correct placement of an emergency advanced airway. Operates specialized medical equipment such as defibrillators, electrocardiographs, and oxygen apparatus in accordance with applicable training and standards. Observes patient status and keeps licensed personnel informed of any change in condition. The incumbent provides support, relief, and coverage as needed to central station telemetry. The incumbent documents in the telemetry record and reports all observed electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in the patient's condition to the licensed staff. Incumbent performs measurements of PR, QRS, QT, RR, and QTC intervals, interprets rhythm, and prints rhythm strip every 8 hours or as required for events and informs appropriate staff. Incumbent recognizes lethal rhythms/arrhythmias (i.e. ventricular fibrillation and asystole) and immediately notifies appropriate staff. Incumbent admits, discharges, and assigns telemetry equipment to patients in central monitoring automated system. Emergency Care: In addition to ongoing ED duties, the incumbent may be asked to respond to medical emergencies on the facility grounds, and sometimes encounters situations which may be life threatening as part of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), Code Blue, or medical transport team. The incumbent appropriately implements emergency care in accordance with established protocols and policies. Works in concert with other members of these teams to determine the nature, extent, and seriousness of the patient's condition including the search for medical alert symbols and medications. ICTs will obtain and maintain certification in basic life support (BLS), and other certifications as pertinent to their local facility and may assist within the scope/guidelines of their role and qualifications. Medication Administration: Medication administration will comply with national and local directives and policies. Administration methods may include intramuscular, oral, topical, eye drops, ear drops, intranasal, rectal suppositories, local anesthetics, nebulized medications, subcutaneous, and intradermal. Follows national and local pharmacy and facility guidelines for disposal of medications. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, 7:30 am - 8:00 pm, Nights and Weekends Position Description Title/PD#: Intermediate Care Technician/PDS0031A Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing (12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking, Standing and Repeated bending (12 hours); Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable- in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Hearing (aid may be permitted).

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 at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service, that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the position being filled. Specialized experience includes: Recognizing life threatening situations and act to correct these emergent situations according to established national or local protocols; understanding the legal/ethical considerations of critical care (e.g., actual/implied consent, patient rights, advanced directives, etc); taking and recording diagnostic signs to perform patient evaluations and screenings; assisting in behavioral/psychiatric situations; and assisting licensed personnel with complex, specialized, and potentially-life threatening situations. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level. Education: Successfully completed one (1) year of graduate education or internship directly related to the position at the next lower grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (Copy of transcripts required) OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. Equivalent combinations of creditable specialized experience and education as described above to meet the total experience requirements for the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Only education beyond a one-half year (e.g. 6 months; 9 semester hours) of graduate level education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, (Copy of transcripts required) You Will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 1. Clinical Data Collection/Documentation 2. Emergency Care 3. Patient Care 4. Technical Competency 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/.

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.

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

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]