The position of Health Technician provides clinical and administrative support in a wide variety of patient care and related activities in the Emergency Department (ED) at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio TX. The purpose of this position is to be a productive team member carrying out and ensuring quality and timely delivery of care, and have the necessary skills to perform specific tasks, tests and procedures to meet patient healthcare needs.

Duties

The Healthcare Technician functions as a highly skilled member of the staff and provides administrative and clinical support for the delivery of acute and non-acute care in the ED. Duties include but are not limited to: Obtain and document patients' vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight, oxygen saturation and orthostatic vital signs). Able to set-up and use electronic thermometers, vital sign measurement equipment, and pulse oximetry. Recognize and report abnormal values to RN or ED physician staff. Initiate cardiac monitoring correctly, and is able to admit/discharge patients from monitoring system and print rhythms strips. Initiate the collection of labs based on approved Nursing Protocols as directed by RN. Prepare patient for and obtain 12 lead ECGs; provide privacy and emotional support during test. Recognize certain abnormalities in the ECG strip, e.g. premature ventricular contractions, tachycardia, brachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, etc.; notifies the RN or physician immediately. Able to retrieve and print patient 12 lead EKGs from computer system (CPRS - VISTA imaging)/or EKG database via modem. Perform venipuncture to obtain serum blood samples and blood cultures as ordered according to policy and procedures. Able to insert angiocaths into peripheral arm veins, obtain blood for laboratory test. Collect labels and send laboratory specimens as ordered according to policy and procedure. Perform finger stick blood glucose testing and document and report results according to policy and procedure. Take appropriate action for critical values. Perform foley catheter insertions and irrigation according to policy and procedure, able to discontinue catheters as ordered. Document and report results appropriately. Move, lift, transfer and transport patients as necessary using proper equipment and correct transfer techniques. Assist patients to ambulate and transfer safely. Observe changes in patient condition and report signs and symptoms in such cases to the professional nurse. Recognize emergency situations and respond to them appropriately. Assist physician with specialized exams/procedures in the ED by preparing patient, handing instruments to the provider providing emotional support to the patients; clean equipment and room between procedures using proper infection control techniques. Follow standard procedures set by infection control in all aspects of daily duties. Dispose of infectious material correctly. Verbally report and/or document in the medical record observations of and treatment given to patient to insure accurate records and quality of care, using standard nomenclature and approved forms. Will initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation according to A.H.A standards. In the event of disturbed patient behavior, assist in producing a safe resolution of the disturbance without undo injury to patient or staff. Able to attend to patient needs as "sitter", 1:1 observation for SI/HI patients, and "close observation" as indicated. Clean stretchers, wheelchairs and equipment according to policy and procedures. Assist in maintaining adequate inventory of equipment and supplies. Assist with preparation of patients designated for admission including separation, securing and inventory of clothing/valuables. Assist with answering call lights, comfort measures, and provision of fluids/food to patients as needed. Provide support and reassurance. Secure the confidence and cooperation of patients to achieve desired results. Perform sterile dressings changes, ace bandage application, unna boot application, suture removal, application of heat/cold as ordered. Able to measure and fit patient for crutches and instruct in use. Assist with teaching patients self-care at home. Work Schedule: Rotating shift / Nights / Weekends / Holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD03381A Physical Requirements: The work requires the Healthcare Technician to be mobile throughout the Emergency Department and medical center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting (moderately heavy). The Healthcare Technician should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment, wheelchairs and patient stretchers.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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): 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. Specialized Experience. To qualify you must possess the following: 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: Obtaining and documenting patients' vital signs; Initiating cardiac monitoring correctly, and is able to print vital sign history, taking appropriate action for critical values; Performing finger stick blood glucose testing, specialized treatments and documents and reports results according to policy and procedure; Performing Diagnostic Tests and Procedures, positions patients for procedures. Recognizes certain abnormalities in the ECG strip, e.g., premature ventricular contractions, tachycardia, brachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, etc.; notifies the RN or physician immediately; Observing changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the professional nurse or physician; Initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation according to A.H.A standards; maintains BLS and ACLS certification; Performing venipuncture to obtain serum blood samples and blood cultures as ordered according to policy and procedures; Collecting labels and sending laboratory specimens as ordered according to policy and procedure. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. 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-06 level.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]