Health Technician (Long Term Care)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current permanent department of Veteran Affairs employees. (You must provide your most recent non-award SF-50 to be included as an internal applicant.)

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.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical/evaluation examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.

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.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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