This is an Open Continuous Announcement Pease see the "Next Steps" section found under the "How to Apply" tab for information regarding cutoff dates. The position is located in the Medical /Surgical/Telemetry Unit in Inpatient Acute Care Directorate for the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The incumbent provides clinical, technical and direct patient care support in an acute care setting. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. GS-6 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Skill in planning, organizing work and meeting deadlines; Skill in communication and interpersonal relations to appropriately and courteously relate to customers; Knowledge of health care services and processes, knowledge of the spelling and meaning Medical Terminology; Knowledge of infection control, aseptic, and sterile techniques; Ability to perform phlebotomy, 12-lead ECG and CPR; Knowledge of infection control; Knowledge of various computer systems such as CPRS, DHCP, SPRS, VA Intranet, Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel and LOGICARE. Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience when directly related to the work of the position. Technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Graduate education (Masters level) may be used to substitute for specialized experience only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Thinking Clinical Data Collection/Documentation Communications Computer Skills 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. ["Major duties may include but are not limited to: Admits and provides patient orientation to the unit. Performs basic nursing skills including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration and oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry, finger stick for glucose monitor, oral suction, nasal swabs, and discontinuation of peripheral IV catheter. Performs bladder scanning, records and reports results. Performs hourly rounding of patients with a purpose (pain, potty, positioning, and proximity) Document patient information on flow sheets in CPRS and/or paper flow sheets. Provides telemetry monitor, identifies proper lead placement, and attaches electrodes upon admission. Notifies ICU technician prior to patient discharge, clean telemetry monitor/leads and places in appropriate storage area. Assists with the maintenance of telemetry equipment and supplies. Assists in CPR resuscitation and other procedures and therapies by running EKG strips and documenting rhythm changes. Performs standard 12-lead EKG using the multi-channel EKG machine. Work Schedule: 12 hour Days (07:15 am - 07:45 pm) or Nights (07:15 pm -07:45 am) with Rotation to Weekends and Holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Med Surg)/ 556-06675-A. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The work environment involves regular and recurring exposure to infections and contagious disease, as well as working with infectious substances, irritant reagents, and potentially emotionally disturbed patients. The incumbent is required to follow infection control policies relating to the use of standard precautions and posted isolation practices. The polices may require wearing of Personnel Protective Equipment (eye and face protection, mask, lab coat, gown hat, shoe covers, and sterile and non-sterile gloves) with occasional exposure to blood and body fluids which may be also infectious."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
