Health Technician (Critical Care)

Full Job Description

The VA San Diego Healthcare System, provide high quality health care to more than 249,594 Veterans in the San Diego and Imperial Valley counties.

VASDHS offers wide range of inpatient and outpatient health services at the medical center in La Jolla and at the six community clinics located in Chula Vista, Escondido, Imperial Valley, Mission Valley, Oceanside, Sorrento Valley and Rio Clinic, providing medical, surgical, mental health, geriatric, spinal cord injury, and rehabilitation services.

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

GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); 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: Knowledge of anatomy and physiology to include location and function of major body organs and structures.

Knowledge of Cardiac rhythm interpretation, skill in lead placement for 12 Lead electrocardiogram and telemetry monitoring, monitor alarm parameters, operation and maintenance of cardiopulmonary and electrocardiogram equipment.

Take vital sign measurements, identify deviation from norms, documentation requirements, and procedure for reporting results in both routine and emergent situations.

Recognize common life-threatening emergencies and ability to provide initial response. Provide for safe patient handling including patient transfers and transportation by wheel chair and/or gurney.

Knowledge of infection control practices, aseptic techniques, and universal precautions to protect patient and self from contamination.

Knowledge of constant observation procedures and provisions for protection and safety for those with self-harm behaviors.

Knowledge of computer software programs equivalent to Microsoft manipulate databases and/or spreadsheets, tracking quality measures and issuing reports.

Skill sufficient to communicate verbally and in writing with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds, education, experience and cultures in order to assist and advise patients and report medical issues.

OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 and GS-06 level.

Completed one full year in a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation for GS-05.

Completed one-half year (9 semester hours) of graduate level education directly related to the work of this position as an operating room health technician for GS-06.

OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 and 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. Major Duties:

The duties include but are not limited to: Supports professional, licensed providers, both nurses and physicians in designated clinical area using diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment to perform non-invasive Electrocardiograms, Spirometry tests, Visual Acuity Screenings, and Bladder Scans according to established procedures.

Performs Point of Care (POC) testing using glucometer and I-Stat devices and CLIA-waived testing as authorized, according to established unit procedures.

Prepares and sets up equipment, etc., for procedures performed by licensed providers, including laceration repair, chest tube insertion, lumbar puncture, etc.

Assists professional, licensed providers, including nursing staff and physicians, in the care and treatment of the critically ill and those with emergent needs.

Reports observations of the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage; deviation in baseline cardiac rhythm, pulse, skin tone and integrity, respiration, temperature, blood pressure, protection and patency of airway; changes in wounds and reaction to treatments per protocol.

Performs standardized treatment procedures requiring considerable training and experience such as performing pharyngeal (mouth cavity) suctions, setting up and regulating the flow of oxygen, observing cardiac and pulmonary waveforms.

Identifies life-threatening dysrhythmias; activates the appropriate codes and/or steps required to call for definitive help.

Responds to emergency mental health situations, where danger of physical attack by patients requires special training.

Performs constant observation for high risk patients and follows procedures to ensure safety of room environment, maintaining line-of-sight visual surveillance, and reporting changes in patient behavior to the professional nursing staff member(s).

Transports patients via wheel chair or gurney, accompanying ambulatory patients who need assistance reporting to various areas within the hospital including clinics, diagnostic areas, and treatment areas.

Performs simple personal care duties such as bathing; demonstrates nursing standards for patient hygiene including bathing, oral, nail, and hair care.

Performs administrative tasks and manages various support functions for clinic or practice such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken.

Places orders and maintains specialized supplies needed for equipment and instruments used in assigned unit.

Sets up, operating, maintaining and calibrating various types of medical equipment, including telemetry and pulse oximetry monitors, respirators, surgical wound suction equipment, traction, electrocardiogram machines, bladder scanners, per manufactures' recommendations.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Any day from Monday through Sunday, tours of duty may vary.

Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Critical Care)/PD12144A Physical Requirements: None.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.