The Health Technician (HT), GS-06, is located in the Behavioral Health Care Line (BHCL), in the BHCL Outpatient Clinics, of the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS). The primary purpose of the position is to provide medical, psychiatric, and administrative support assistance in the clinics by performing technical and administrative tasks with the goal of providing excellent mental and medical health care for Veterans.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Communicates effectively with others in all aspects of their duties, working cooperatively as a team member. Interacts with patients, visitors, staff, students, and volunteers in a courteous, helpful, cooperative, and compassionate manner. Adapts his/her care to meet the emotional and physical needs of the patients. Maintains a serene atmosphere in the clinic and waiting area by treating patients with respect and dignity and utilizing a calm manner in approaching agitated patient Notifies health care professionals when changes are noted in a patient's usual demeanor or if his/her behavior has changed significantly from previous visits. Responds and assists in the management of patients who lose control of behavior and/or become harmful to self and others by utilizing measures as directed by the health care professional and use of de-escalation skills. Provides for physical and emotional needs of patient requiring 1:1 observation while undergoing procedures or awaiting admission to the hospital. Receives written and verbal requests from health care professionals and provides assistance for a variety of difficult examinations and/or procedures that include, but are not limited to, 12-lead EKGs; Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI); bladder ultrasounds; pulmonary functions (PFT); venipuncture for specimen collection, phlebotomy, and/or IV access; wound care/dressing changes; monofilament foot exam; insert indwelling/external catheters; etc. Accurately measures intake and output. Performs sterile, non-sterile and medicated dressing changes Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures such as, EKG machines, CBG monitors, Breathalyzers, Nebulizer machines, ABI dopplers, bladder scans, spirometers, vital signs monitors, etc. Incumbent facilitates repair or replacement of any malfunctioning or broken equipment or instruments. Performs direct patient support to include gathering information from patients, providing personal patient care and patient education on home use of medical equipment such as glucometers, blood pressure monitors, peak flow meters, etc. Assists Veterans with scheduling appointments, entering requests for labs, x-rays into CPRS GUI, entering consult requests for specialty services within Behavioral Health, assisting Veterans with scheduling appointments in ancillary/specialty services. Provides training to new staff regarding procedures, instruments, or equipment used in this clinic Responds appropriately to emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary failure, hemorrhaging, and shock by assisting in the performance of resuscitation measures (CPR). Observes and provides for a safe environment for patients and others through monitoring, reporting and taking protective precautions with any hazards once they are observed. Provides for safety through use of asepsis (Universal Precautions) and isolation of patients when needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Day Tour Position Description/PD#: Health Technician Outpatient Mental Health/PD10531O Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, stretching, pushing, turning and at times lifting heavy equipment and/or patients. Good vision and hearing are required to collect patient data.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/24/2024. 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:setting up equipment for procedures; performing personal patient care; utilizing an automated system to maintain and retrieve patient data; assisting with patient test and procedures; and answering phones and directing phone calls to appropriate personal. 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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: James Wilson
• Phone: 518-779-4210
• Email: [email protected]