Health Technician - Emergency Department

Summary

These positions are at the full performance level - and located in the Emergency Department (ED) of the Medicine and Inpatient Health Care Group (HCG) - VA Long Beach Healthcare System; reporting to the ED Nurse Manager. The Medicine and Inpatient HCG is an interdisciplinary team providing continuity of care for Veterans at VA Long Beach. The incumbent will provide non-professional technical assistance to licensed staff for the care of patients presenting with emergent health concerns.

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 includes but is not limited to the following: performing telemetry monitoring; obtaining - reading - measuring - and interpreting electrocardiogram (ECG) strips; participating in telemetry monitoring and set up on Philips monitors - which includes setting individual patient parameters - and adjusting alarm settings; taking of vital signs; lead placement - and electrode care.

Preferred Experience:

Phlebotomy certification or eligible 3-5 years Emergency Care experience Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g.

- Peace Corps - Ameri Corps) 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.

• Health Technicians perform direct and indirect patient care activities per the veteran's care plan - consistent with VA Long Beach Healthcare System and Medicine HCG policies and procedures
• Such activities include but are not limited to:
  Supports health and medical staff during diagnosis and treatment of patients
• Explains procedures - positions patients for desired results - and cushions and shields patients as appropriate
• Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment in support of diagnostic and treatment procedures
• Determines technical factors - sets controls - and operates equipment and instruments
• Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment such as - Golvo patient lift - Stirrups for female vaginal exams - lead placement for 12 lead EKG - etc
• with multiple features that requires precise patient positioning to operate correctly
• Uses a practical knowledge of the location and function of major body organs and structures in ED procedures
• Recognizes deviations in patient's condition and takes appropriate action
• Sets equipment parameters based on the patient's established diagnosis or specific and/or individualized testing criteria
• Makes precise adjustments to clarify readings and measurements
• Performs medical procedures under licensed staff such as venipuncture - removing IVs or removing needles - etc
• Assists medical staff with patient care
• assists with AOL's (activities of daily living) - i.e.
  
  - feeding - bathing - dressing - and toileting
• Assists with a full range of complex procedures (basic EKGs - splinting/casting - setting up for l&D/suturing - assists with joint or limb reduction - etc.) using specialized equipment that required precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking and recording deviations in vital signs - reporting results to nurse - obtaining specimens - labeling specimens for the laboratory
• Provides follow-up care instructions and demonstration for patients (use of crutches - canes - etc.)
• Work Schedule:
  
  7:30 pm - 8:00 am
• workdays can vary
• Multiple tours available
• to be discussed at interview and determined on selection
• Days - evenings - nights - weekends - holidays - and off-tours may be required
• Tour of duty is subject to change based on agency needs
• Position Description Title/PD#:
  Health Technician - Emergency Department/10778A
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  The work is sometimes sedentary but does require the ability to stand - walk - bend - lift - and carry light items
• The work requires above-average agility and dexterity to assist and maneuver patients safely in various stages of medical need
• The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients (specialized Golvo lift is available in the Emergency Department to assist with lifting and moving heavy patients - or a team approach is used for safety of the patient and staff).