The Health Technician position has an unusual breadth of assignments within the Iowa City VA Health Care System requiring the need for versatility and skill to perform independently in a broad multiskilled role. Though guidelines exist for their activities, many of their activities require judgment and interactions across various clinical and administrative services. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. 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, but is not limited to: performing basic patient care activities and duties such as taking vitals and recording measurements; using, cleaning, and maintaining medical equipment; performing EKGs; lifting, moving, and transporting patients; recognizing, reporting, and assisting in emergency situations; observing and reporting any changes in patient mental or physical status; drawing specimens from IV insertion sites; communicating and working with a wide variety of medical center employees, patients, and families. 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. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. You must have successfully completed a full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. You must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. Preferred Experience/Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) 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. ["Duties Include: Provides direct care to patients with peripheral IV sites. Assess the product suitability for the intended use. Draws blood from inpatients and outpatients for required laboratory tests, including special drawing techniques. Ensures use of correct specimen tubes or containers, correctly labels specimens, and verifies proper amount of specimen is drawn. Adheres to safety measure, infection control standards and universal precautions at all times when obtaining lab specimens. Assembles equipment, including proper label for syringe, specimen request, Blood Gas (BG) kit, cup, or bag of ice for transport, and PPE. Performs EKGs in inpatient and outpatient areas. Properly stores information on EKG machine and/or computer. Recognize, respond and assist in emergency situations. Identifies veterans with potential medical emergencies and notifies medical staff. Assists with data collection and monthly statistical report. Applies external catheters and maintains patency or drainage. Escorts/Transports patients to tests as needed. Assists ward staff with direct patient care activities as assigned including responding to call lights and patient alarms. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during Code Blue events. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Day Shifts 6:00am-6:00pm and/or 6:00am-2:30pm, Rotating Weekends and Holidays; work schedule will be discussed further during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Incentive Authorized)/PD50158A Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: Yes, AFGE The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."]
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.
