Summary These positions are at the full performance level, and located in the Emergency Department (ED) of the Medicine and Inpatient Health Care Group (HCG), VA Long Beach Healthcare System; reporting to the ED Nurse Manager. The Medicine and Inpatient HCG is an interdisciplinary team providing continuity of care for Veterans at VA Long Beach. The incumbent will provide non-professional technical assistance to licensed staff of the ED for the care of patients presenting with emergent health concerns. Responsibilities 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: 7:30 pm - 8:00 am; workdays can vary. Multiple tours available; 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). Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Additional Information The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.