SUMMARY

The position is at the full performance level, and is located in the Emergency Department of the Medicine and Inpatient Health Care Group, VA Long Beach Healthcare System; reports to the Emergency Department Nurse Manager. The incumbent will provide non-professional technical assistance to licensed staff of the Emergency Department for the care of patients presenting with emergent health concerns.
Welcome to VA Long Beach
Tibor Rubin - History

QUALIFICATIONS

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, 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.

EDUCATION

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the “Who may apply” eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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: 1130-2400; workdays can vary. 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/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 ED to assist with lifting and moving heavy patients, or a team approach is used for safety of the patient and staff).