Career Center

The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct patient care activities, indirect patient care activities and related supportive services under the general guidance and direction of a Registered Nurse. This role requires the individual to demonstrate keen powers of observation, perception, and judgment; show initiative and pay meticulous attention to details. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/13/2022. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Infection ControlInterpersonal SkillsPatient CareTechnical Competence 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Knowledge Required by the Position The incumbent must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in: Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/incumbent information, electronic and print. The medical center performance improvement program. How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. The incumbent is required to meet minimum qualification requirements in OPM Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, and/or VA Qualification Standards, Handbook 5005 - Staffing, Part II, Chapter 2 - Title 5 Appointments, Section D and Appendix II-F (for GS positions excluding quasi Title 38 positions). Advanced practical knowledge and competence in anatomy and physiology, medical/surgical terminology. Broad work experience and demonstrated skills sufficient to resolve a wide range of problems. Incumbent must be knowledgeable about and thoroughly understand the concepts and applicability of Joint Commission, Occupational Safety Health and Administration (OSHA), Veteran Affairs (VA), and all other safety and occupational health regulations to assure compliance. Knowledge of basic methods and procedures of the facility. Knowledge and skill sufficient to provide and document direct patient care activities as specified in this position description and attached skills inventory. Knowledge and skill sufficient to observe the patient's physical and emotional reactions to care and therapy and to communicate this to the Registered Nurse and other appropriate health care staff. Knowledge and skill in performing safety/emergency procedures related to patient transport, infection control, environmental safety, and CPR. Knowledge and skill sufficient to recognize and properly use equipment, material, and supplies for the purpose of understanding and carrying out assigned instructions. Knowledge of specialized terminology associated with work in the facility and in-depth knowledge of terminology needed in the specialized area of the facility where the work is performed. Knowledge of the organization sufficient to provide clerical and administrative support to the unit. Incumbent must possess organizational and problem-solving skills. Must be adept at working independently with little direct supervision. Must be able to handle diverse tasks with various interruptions during the workday and be capable of prioritizing workload and patient care activities. Communication: Promotes an atmosphere of caring, by demonstrating positive customer service techniques through courteous and effective interactions with patients, visitors, and other personnel. Maintains a professional and cooperative demeanor during interactions, which include telephone conversations and/or personal contact. Automated Information Systems Security: In the performance of official duties, the incumbent has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive information, which must be protected under the provision of the Privacy Act of 1974, the HIPAA implementation, effective April 14, 2003 and other applicable laws and regulations. The incumbent is responsible for (1) protecting that information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set forth in the hospital's Automated Information Systems Users Agreement which the incumbent signs. Information Security and Confidentiality: Manages information security within areas of responsibility to assure that computer system security and confidentiality of sensitive information is maintained, and that incumbent access to sensitive information is limited only to that which the incumbent requires to perform their duties. Takes action as necessary to report and address violations of information security. Customer Service: Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Program: The incumbent is responsible for familiarization of how his/her activities impact the VA goals for implementing sound environmental practices. In accordance with the GEMS program, seeks to meet, or exceed, compliance with federal, state, local and VA environmental, public health, and resource conservation laws, regulations, and requirements in a cost-effective manner. Physical Requirements: Physical requirements include extensive periods of standing and walking. Patient care activities require regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing and similar activities using appropriate body mechanics and other assistive devices for patient and/or equipment movement and transfer. The employee protects self and others from injury. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ["Clinical Support\nEstablishes helpful relationships with patients and others; interacts in a courteous manner; explains patient care provided. Provides emotional support, friendly assistance, sympathetic understanding and encouragement to patients/families. Contributes to patient's well-being by providing assistance with personal hygiene, bowel/bladder care, physical comfort and a clean and safe environment. Provides appropriate support to patients in meeting their nutritional needs by clearing overbed tables, placing meal trays/nourishments within easy reach, preparing food/beverages, obtaining additional items, feeding patients, recording intake and clearing trays. Adds prescribed nourishment to existing continuous tube feeding setup. Performs, reports and records measurements, such as vital signs, intake and output, pulse, oximetry, glucose finger stick and other parameters. Identifies obvious patient problems, symptoms, behavioral changes and deviations from normal in a timely manner to the appropriate Registered Nurse. Performs EKG as directed and provides results to Registered Nurse. Collects urine, stool sputum, and blood specimens by phlebotomy using appropriate procedures. Accurately labels all specimens and delivers to laboratory as indicated. Provides selected respiratory care, such as incentive breathing exercises, turn, deep breath and cough, oxygen therapy, monitoring of MDI self-administration and oral/ pharyngeal suctioning under the direction of the RN and/ or respiratory therapist. Applies appropriate principles of body mechanics and patient safety in assisting patients with movement, positioning, ambulation, and transportation. Provides activity orient exercises under direction of the RN and/ or rehabilitation therapist. Uses assistive devices appropriately. Assists nurses/physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed on the unit. Safely transports patients to off unit appointments. Applies principles of infection control when performing direct and indirect patient care assignments. Assists in emergency situations and initiates CPR when indicated. Records care given and objective/subjective patient observations on appropriate medical record forms. Demonstrates competence in the performance of clinical procedures outlined in the approved skills inventory and unit-specific procedures as assigned. Provides care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned area (i.e., adult and geriatric patient population). This entails knowledge of human growth and development; ability to assess and interpret age specific data and provide age specific care; communication skills necessary to interpret age specific response to treatment; and ability to involve family/significant others in decision making related to plan of care. The knowledge, abilities and skills needed to provide such care will be refined through continuing education and training and. experience. Reinforces patient health teaching related to self-care. Administrative Support and Coordination\nCorrectly and safely uses equipment and supplies. Cleans and returns equipment to appropriate location and reports needs for equipment repair to the appropriate person. Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly work environment through routine maintenance activities such as ordering and stocking equipment and supplies; cleaning equipment and patient care areas; providing proper containment/ disposal of discarded materials; reporting maintenance and security problems to appropriate personnel. Contributes to creating a work climate that encourages positive staff morale, motivation, and commitment for all who participate in the care of patients. Answers telephone and call lights courteously, and relays messages in a timely fashion. Follows policies and procedures to ensure safety for patients, staff and self. Identifies and immediately reports safety hazards to supervisors. Seeks guidance/clarification of instructions from appropriate individuals as needed. Completes patient care assignments within reasonable period and keeps Registered Nurse informed. Completes annual mandatory reviews, participates in continuing education at unit/service level, identifies personal learning needs/goals with supervision. Provides instruction to others on correct performance of defined tasks/procedures. Work Schedule: LTC ECC 1C. 3:30pm-12:00am with rotating weekends & holidays.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD21231a\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]