Health Technician - Emergency Department

Overview

The positions are at the full performance level in the Emergency Department (ED) of the Medicine and Inpatient Health Care Group (HCG) at 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 setup on Philips monitors (which includes setting individual patient parameters and adjusting alarm settings); taking vitals; 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, religious, 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.
• Uses practical knowledge of the location and function of major body organs and structures in ED procedures.
• Recognizes deviations in patient condition and takes appropriate action.
• Sets equipment parameters based on the patient's established diagnosis or specific and/or individualized testing criteria.
• Performs medical procedures under licensed staff, such as venipuncture, removing IVs or removing needles, etc.
• Assists medical staff with patient care and activities of daily living (ADLs) such as feeding, bathing, dressing, and toileting.
• Assists with a full range of complex procedures using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences (e.g., basic EKGs, splinting/casting, setup for L&D/suturing, joint or limb reductions).
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking and recording deviations in vital signs, reporting results to nurse, obtaining specimens, and labeling specimens for the laboratory.
• Provides follow-up care instructions and demonstrations for patients (e.g., use of crutches, canes).

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.

Physical Requirements:

The work is sometimes sedentary but requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and carry light items. It may require 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, or a team approach is used for safety of the patient and staff).