The incumbent will be assigned to work in the Nursing Service Line of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), under the direct supervision of the nurse manager. The Healthcare Technician (HCT) is a highly specialized position, providing both clinical and clerical support such as patient care tasks, cleaning and supply duties, escorting functions, and clerical tasks. This position provides assistance to the Nursing Staff to assure coordinated and efficient patient services. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 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: Ability to provide technical assessments/measurements such as blood pressure, respirations, oral and axillary temperature, weight, and pulse under the close observation of a supervisor. Ability to observe, escort, transfer, and ambulate patients under the close supervision of peers. Able to interpret instruction by Registered Nurse staff. General customer service skills in relation to patient care . OR Education: 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-04 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held on your resume. You must provide work experience information such as hours per week, salary, and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish you have one (1) full year of Specialized Experience at or comparable to the required grade level. 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. ["Performs or assists RN with personal care such as body and oral hygiene, dressing/undressing, and toileting/elimination, etc. Provides direct observation for both suicidal/homicidal patients as well as those patients requiring direct observation for safety. Answers call lights and communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse. Assists with meal set-up and/or feeds patients as needed. Performs or assists RN with search and inventory of patient belongings. Participates in rounding as directed by RN Change linen on occupied and unoccupied bed Assist RN in patient care as directed to include but not limited to dressing changes, triage, turning and positioning of patients, enema administration, post mortem care and morgue transfers. Measures and records vital signs in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and notifies assigned RN or provider. Measures and empties urine output from urinary catheters and notifies RN or provider. Collects and sends routine urine, stool, and sputum specimens. Obtains nasal cultures for MRSA upon admissions, discharges and transfers Performs venipuncture, labels and sends specimens to lab. Performs glucometer checks and notifies assigned RN or provider of results. Performs 12 lead EKGs and gives to provider for review within 10 minutes. Assists with transfers and ambulation of patients Obtains and immediately delivers blood products from blood bank to assigned RN. Cleans vacated rooms of patients (i.e., strips linens, discards used or opened medical supplies, wipes down non-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) per guidelines, bedside tables and counter surfaces. Cleans dirty reusable medical equipment and properly identifies equipment as cleaned (i.e. pink tags, plastic bag covers for IV pumps) and any medical equipment stored in the clean utility room. Maintains a clean working and uncluttered environment. Reviews for expired stocks and supplies, and restock in areas such as specialty carts, treatment rooms and clean utility rooms. Obtains and delivers supplies from SPD and main supply room as needed. Transports patients, as directed, to designated areas. Delivers laboratory specimens as needed. Assists visitors with way-finding. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, holidays and weekends Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD01698A, PD01864A, PD00619A, and PD00623A Physical Requirements: Requires considerable walking, bending, standing, lifting, and handling of equipment and supplies. Requires dexterity in performing technical procedures. Proper body mechanics should be utilized at all times. Required to have the physical ability to manipulate patient while they are in bed to perform such tasks as weighing patients on bed scales and records necessary to maintain the CPRS vital signs packages and assisting RNs with turning and positioning of patients. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
