The position of Health Technician provides clinical and administrative support in a wide variety of patient care and related activities in an Inpatient Acute Care setting at the South Texas Veteran's Health Care System. The purpose of this position is to be a productive team member carrying out a variety of technical functions including electrocardiograph, respiratory, nursing, laboratory, and miscellaneous administrative/clerical duties. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 would typically include, but are not limited to knowledge of a wide range of cardiac arrhythmias, effects on patients and treatment options while using telemetry equipment, including transmitters, central monitoring station, lead placement, patient prep and printers, trouble-shooting equipment when issues occur; using automated systems for documentation and patient charting; AND utilizing customer service skills when serving patients with varying mental behaviors, patient families and medical center personnel. 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. ["Major Duties: Performing technically complex stat and routine 12 lead Electrocadiograms, Rhythm Strips in inpatient and outpatient settings. Performing routine respiratory therapy treatments including the administration of oxygen, therapeutic aerosols, IPPS, and incentive spirometry. Monitoring patients for adverse reactions, and taking corrective action based on policy. Recording treatment, findings, and progress pertinent to patient care. Detecting the need for lead changes by observing the accuracy of computer diagnosis and noting clarity of ECG signal at console oscilloscope. Performing airway care and maintenance on patients to include tracheobroncial and nasotracheal suctioning, endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure monitoring, and chest physical therapy. Interviewing patients, performing a general systems appraisal of patient's condition, and collecting objective and subjective data. Performing vital signs, collecting specimens, measuring and recording intake and outputs, weights, etc. Troubleshooting, cleaning, calibrating, and maintaining all electrocardiographs and other equipment to maintain a safe clean work area. Assisting the physician with special procedures, and performing supportive diagnostic duties. Recognizing and responding to emergency situations according to established policies and procedures. Instructing patient/significant other in the use of equipment, treatments, activity level, and plan for follow-up care. Maintains levels of equipment, supplies, etc. appropriate to the environment of care setting. Ensuring basic room preparation, including proper storage of supplies, equipment, and general cleanliness. Performing phlebotomy, including blood cultures. Performing blood glucose testing (Accuchek). Reporting and labeling equipment for repair. Serving as a patient escort. Assisting patients with dressing and undressing / ADL's. Assisting patients to and from wheelchairs. Documentation in the medical record. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, full time, compressed tours of duty Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD03465A Physical Requirements: The work requires the Health Technician to be mobile throughout the Inpatient Units and medical center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting (moderately heavy). The Health Technician should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment, wheelchairs and patient stretchers."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.