Health Technician

Full Job Description

The incumbent will be assigned to Nursing Service and work under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager of the Medical/Surgical unit at the Lt. Col.

Luke Weathers Jr., VA Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee and will function under the direct leadership of a registered nurse.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Individual Occupational Requirement for Health Aid and Technician Series (0640): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and cannot be waived.

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-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 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: Ability to obtain, record, and interpret all vital signs.

Ability to perform pulse oximetry correctly and have a working knowledge of the interpretation of the same and its clinical relevance.

Ability to obtain, record and interpret information from limited interviews and be able to report pertinent information promptly to the emergency care team.

Ability to perform, record and interpret the clinical relevance of accu-checks. Ability to monitor foley catheters.

Ability to perform ordered breathing treatments and monitor and record vital signs before and after.

Knowledge necessary to instruct patients on how to perform peak flows and ability to follow up on their performance. Ability to apply, educate, and document use of splints, canes, crutches.

Ability to apply dressings and perform dressing changes and suture removal.

Ability to recognize and make an independent, timely, appropriate initial response to an urgent/emergent situation and to seek immediate assistance as needed.

Ability to perform phlebotomy and gather other lab specimens and process the same in accordance with all policies, rules and regulations of the laboratory, medical center, and all regulatory agencies.

Extensive knowledge of infection control policies and practices to keep the work environment safe for staff, patients, and families.

Knowledge of administrative duties is required in order to check patients in and out of the area, process admissions, and obtain beds for patients requiring admission.

Knowledge is required of patient eligibility for a wide variety of issues as well as a basic knowledge of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding.

OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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.

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 year of full-time study.

If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement.

Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equal combination of specialized experience and graduate education.

Preferred Experience: Phlebotomy and Medical/Surgical experience 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:

The incumbent duties include but not limited to: Assist with vital signs, simple dressing changes, EKG's, assisting with procedures, phlebotomy, accu-checks, collects urine specimens as ordered and splinting.

Obtain lab specimens and transports blood, etc. to lab in accordance with lab regulations and standards. Conduct patient interviews and records necessary information into CPRS.

Assist medical staff with or performs diagnostic procedures used to diagnose medical conditions. Operate and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Secure patients' confidence and cooperation during medical procedures. Determine technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments.

Assist in tracking and keeping a record of patients. Provide general clerical/administrative support coordination work for the unit.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 11:30pm - 08:00am, rotating weekends Telework: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD50106A Physical Requirements: The work involves the ability to work at a fast pace in a stressful environment.

There is bending, stooping, reaching, walking at a fast pace, as well as some lifting. Patients need to be assisted in and out of chairs and on and off exam tables.

Pushes patients on stretchers and in wheelchairs. Sometimes it will be necessary to lift an unconscious or poorly alert patient.

The work entails travel all over the medical center to transport patients, to get supplies, etc. Position requires physical ability and ability to work under somewhat strenuous conditions.