Summary

The position of Healthcare Technician (HT) in the Emergency Department (ED) at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center involves providing clinical support in a variety of patient care and related activities. At this level - the HT functions as an integral member of the nursing care team - assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of patients. The primary goal of this role is to enhance the delivery of patient care.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirement: 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. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement - you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: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: (1) Knowledge of how to perform one's job. Refers to specialized knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience (2) Uses proper specimen collection techniques (phlebotomy/venipuncture - finger sticks - urine - sputum - tissue - etc.); selects appropriate site for sample collection to minimize patient discomfort; uses correct containers and labels; monitors patients for adverse reactions. (3) Promotes infection prevention and control. Demonstrates application of the principles of infection control in all activities (i.e. proper hand washing procedures - etc.). Understands and utilizes standard precautions and uses proper protective equipment. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a successful completion of at least One half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field directly related to the work of the position to be filled. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Preferred Experience: Current EMT-P or EMT-B certification Certified Nursing Assistant BLS Certification 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.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Collects and records patients' vital signs - including blood pressure - pulse - temperature - respiration rate - actual weight - oxygen saturation - and postural vital signs
• The healthcare technician can set up and utilize electronic thermometers - vital sign measurement devices - and performing manual measurements as necessary - along with using pulse oximetry and suction equipment
• They also identify and report any abnormal values to the registered nurse
• Correctly connects patients to cardiac monitoring - manages patient admissions and discharges within the monitoring system - and prints rhythm strips as needed
• Prepares patient for and obtains a 12 lead EKGs using the EKG machine
• The HT prepares the patient for an examination by the physician and provides the patient with privacy and emotional support
• Performs venipuncture to obtain serum blood samples according to VHA - Medical Center - ED - and Laboratory policy and procedures
• Obtains and labels all lab specimens at the patient's bedside and sends them to the laboratory according to policy and procedure
• Performs finger stick blood glucose testing and reports to the nurse the results
• Moves - lifts - transfers - and transports patients as necessary using proper equipment and correct transfer techniques
• Assist patients to ambulate and transfer safely
• Observes changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the nurse
• Recognizes emergency situations and responds to them appropriately
• Uses sound judgment to work with the RN staff to prioritize patients with acute medical needs and institute timely interventions
• Assists with answering phones and placing calls/pages as needed
• Participates in keeping the patient tracking board updated
• Work Schedule: 7pm-7:30am - 11am-11:30pm with rotating weekends - holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Emergency Department)/PD03087A Physical Requirements: The work requires the HT to be mobile throughout the Emergency Department and medical center as needed - involving sitting - standing - walking - bending - pushing - and lifting (moderately heavy)
• The HT should be capable of prolonged sitting/standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment - wheelchairs and patient stretchers
• Proper lifting and body mechanics must be always utilized to prevent injury.