Health Technician (Long Term Care)
What you'd do
This position is located in Nursing department of the VA Center in Lyons, New Jersey serving as a Health Technician functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.
Major duties
DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Operates and supports providers and registered nurses in designated clinical area using diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments/equipment including Electrocardiogram, Spirometry, Visual Acuity Screening, and Bladder scan according to established procedures and with documented competency. Locates and sets up equipment needed for complex diagnostic procedures. Operates, Calibrates, and maintains medical instruments or equipment. Monitors and plans equipment inventory, routine, equipment maintenance, and services as unit resource for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of non-critical, semi-critical, and critical Reusable Medical Devices. Demonstrates leadership in advocating patient safety and educate multidisciplinary staff in assigned area of RMD. Supports health and medical staff during diagnosis and treatment of patients. Gathers screening data on patients admitted to the hospital to include fall risk, allergies, current medications, homelessness, abuse, means and mode of arrival, danger to self or others, and exposure to communicable diseases. Recognizes and informs appropriate multidisciplinary health Care team deviations from baseline screening parameters. Performs phlebotomy in designated areas. Applies basic splints and performs dressing changes in designated areas. Performs point of Care testing using glucometer devices according to established unit procedures and with competency validation. Educates other HR Staff and serves as the expert source in resource in specialized equipment/supply maintenance, operation, and quality assurance monitoring. Performs 1:1 patient observation according to policy. Performs TMO monitoring as assigned. May be designated as a Rapid Response Team member when assigned to the ICU. Assisting patients with swallowing disorders with meals, bowel and bladder hygiene and assisting patients with oral/bath hygiene. Specimen collection procedures and point of care testing. Performs routine diagnostic tests such as venipuncture, electrocardiogram, bladder scans, visual acuity screening appropriate for assigned clinical areas and demonstrated competency. Care and treatments of patients with critical and emergent conditions. Assists nurses and physicians in the care and treatment of critically ill and emergent patients. Performs standardized treatment procedures requiring considerable training and experience such as performing pharyngeal suctions, setting up and regulating the flow of oxygen, or analyzing pulmonary waveforms, application of basic orthopedic splints, Care and treatment of patients with acute and chronic mental health conditions. Provides nursing care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior. Recognizes emergency mental health situations such as suicidal ideation and intervenes by utilizing techniques to keep the patient safe while awaiting assistance per procedure. Reinforces education presented by a provider or RN including reinforcing patients and caregivers the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care. Assists with stocking and room tun-over to ensure the patient care environment is prepared to receive and care for patients. Identifies equipment that is malfunctioning and uses the proper procedure to submit a work order, track progress, and/or turn the equipment in for decommissioning. Preferred Experience: - (3 - 5) years of Health Technician experience in LTC or Medicine.- This position requires documented experience providing direct patient care support in a healthcare setting (such as a hospital, long-term care, rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility).- Demonstrated experience providing care and support to geriatric patients and/or Veterans in a long-term care, rehabilitation, or hospital environment.- Proficiency with electronic health records (such as VA¿s CPRS), have actively participated in interdisciplinary care teams, and who possess specialized training or experience in dementia care, restorative nursing, or end-of-life care. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm with every other weekend per unity policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 49476-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.
What you need to qualify
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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Basic anatomy and physiology to include location and function of major body organs and structures. Completion of formal nursing assistant program and/or active-duty military equivalent. Lead placement for 12 lead electrocardiogram and telemetry monitoring, monitor alarm parameters, operation, and maintenance of cardiopulmonary and electrocardiogram equipment. Vital sign measurements, deviation from norms, documentation, and procedure for reporting results. Pulse oximetry monitoring, peak flow measurement, and incentive spirometry. Knowledge of life-threatening emergencies and initial response. Knowledge of emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary failure, hemorrhaging, and shock and how to assist in the performance of resuscitation measures. Safe patient handling including patient transfers and transportation by wheelchair and/or gurney. Operation of safe patient handling equipment Infection control practices including universal precautions to protect patients and self from infection. Knowledge of behavioral and non-behavioral restraints including application and safety considerations Knowledge of 1:1 and Direct Line of Sight procedures and provisions for protection and safety for those with self harm behaviors Electronic medical records, patient identification procedures, and information security There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. Preferred Experience: Preferred Experience: - (3 - 5) years of Health Technician experience in LTC or Medicine.- This position requires documented experience providing direct patient care support in a healthcare setting (such as a hospital, long-term care, rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility).- Demonstrated experience providing care and support to geriatric patients and/or Veterans in a long-term care, rehabilitation, or hospital environment.- Proficiency with electronic health records (such as VA¿s CPRS), have actively participated in interdisciplinary care teams, and who possess specialized training or experience in dementia care, restorative nursing, or end-of-life care. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. Physical Requirements: The position includes physical exertion such as regular and recurring walking, stooping, bending, reaching, and lifting of equipment and supplies. The incumbent must be able to lift 35 lbs., perform the following: pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulders and laterally, use of fingers, both hands, arm, and legs, sitting, walking, and standing for long periods of time. He/She must also be able to hear whispered voices (with or without a hearing aid), kneeling, repeated bending, ability for rapid mental/muscular coordination simultaneously, visual requirements for monitoring, observation, depth perception, and ability to distinguish shades of color.
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