Job Summary

The HT position performs direct patient care tasks and clinical procedures that do not require the judgment of a licensed health care professional within VA SD facility. It functions day to day under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and reports to the Nurse Manager in the assigned clinical area for administrative and overall technical supervision. It functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team in a progressive care, critical care, and/or emergency department setting.

Job Description

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). You must meet the following: 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. OR, For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 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 the position. In addition to meeting the IOR above, you must meet the experience/education as described below: GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-XX 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. OR, Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. Successful completion of a full 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 the position. OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 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-05. 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. 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: Knowledge of anatomy and physiology to include location and function of major body organs and structures, as well as familiarity with medical terminology, common diseases, disorders and related conditions; medications and contraindications. Technical knowledge of Cardiac rhythm interpretation, skill in lead placement for 12 Lead electrocardiogram and telemetry monitoring, monitor alarm parameters, operation and maintenance of cardiopulmonary and electrocardiogram equipment. Ability to take vital sign measurements, identify deviation from norms, documentation requirements, and procedure for reporting results in both routine and emergent situations. Ability to recognize common life-threatening emergencies and ability to provide initial response; knowledge of emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary failure, hemorrhaging, and shock and how to perform and/or assist in the performance of resuscitation measures. Ability to provide for safe patient handling including patient transfers and transportation by wheel chair and/or gurney. Knowledge of infection control practices, aseptic techniques, and universal precautions to protect patient and self from contamination. OR, Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level. Successfully completed a Graduate education or internship where it is directly related to the work of the position. OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level. Preferred Experience: Formal ECG education and training required. 3-5 years of experience as nursing assistant in acute care setting within the last 5 years required. Current BLS and emergency preparedness training required. Actively involved in unit wide safety, unit based committee. 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.