at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the care and treatment of surgical patients and administer emergent care to patients in both the Perioperative (Peri-op)/Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The Health Technician (Perioperative) reports to the PACU Nurse Manager. Receives guidance from Nursing Service in general, and specifically from the assigned Operating Room (OR) Charge Nurses, for daily work assignments, including both supervised and unsupervised activities/duties. Responsibilities The duties described below but not limited to: Patient Care Duties (60%)The Health Technician (Perioperative) is responsible for verifying patient identity, performing observation based screening, collecting patient information in collaboration with licensed personnel. This involves utilizing appropriate interview skills to obtain patient health/medication history, and information about health-related illnesses. Interacts in a courteous/respectful manner with interdisciplinary healthcare team, patients, and families. Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit and treatment team, obtaining vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respirations, weight, height and/or orthostatic vital signs), Accu-Checks blood sugars/glucose monitoring, documenting in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), and reporting any vital signs outside of normal range to the appropriate licensed staff member. Checks patients and their belongings for hazardous items. Inventories patient belongings with the patient and/or family and properly documents the inventory before surgery and prior to discharge. Cleans and prepares patients for surgical procedures. Cleans the rooms and the equipment used for preparing patients for surgical procedures. Cleans and restocks rooms used for patient care. Cleans general pre-op/PACU spaces to include, but not limited to, countertops, doorknobs, etc. Observes/notes conditions that may be critical prior to and post surgeries and notifies nurse and/or health care provider of any situations requiring emergency assistance/immediate attention. After being adequately trained and certified by a PACU nurse, the Health Technician (Perioperative) may perform sterile procedures to include, but not limited to urinary and intravenous catheterization, tracheostomy care, IV insertion/removal, irrigating and dressing wounds, etc. Applies and removes simple sterile and non-sterile dressings, slings, ace bandages, and elastic stockings. Applies non-sterile hot/cold compresses, packs, and soaks; and utilizes equipment that provides heating or cooling as directed by provider. Complies with infection control guidelines and practices universal precautions/hand hygiene. Complies with DoD and Navy directives applicable to infection control, hand hygiene, and needle stick prevention. Administrative Duties (40%)The incumbent provides administrative support for a wide variety of administrative tasks associated with maintaining and supporting the work performed within the Perioperative (Pre-op)/Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to include, assisting with patient reception and the rooming of patients as needed, updating the patient board, answering telephones, answering routine inquiries, and completing paperwork. Participates in team discussions regarding surgical procedures; pulls sterile consumables for future operating room cases; and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Assists the OR nurses and staff with all surgical equipment/instruments and special requests preoperatively and intra-operatively on all operative procedures. Interacts in a courteous/respectful manner with interdisciplinary healthcare team, patients, and families. Monitors the cleanliness and physical condition of all equipment. Monitors the general cleanliness of the sterile supply core. Performs weekly dusting of the consumable supply shelves. Reports nonworking equipment to appropriate personnel (staff RN/Charge RN); monitors out-dates and par levels of non-sterile and sterile supplies in anticipation of daily caseload; ensures supplies on hand do not exceed expiration dates; and replenishes those that are outdated. Maintains equipment, identifying malfunctions; conducts first echelon maintenance as needed; coordinates with medical maintenance and/or equipment representatives regarding the problems. Keeps abreast of and compliant with all equipment preventive maintenance cycles. Provides justification to leadership pertaining to request for replacement of outdated equipment by identifying the outdated equipment, gathering relevant information on the equipment, or requesting equipment for the work area. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:00am- 5:30pm Retention Incentive: May be authorized after 90 days in position as a HealthTech series 0640 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Perioperative)/PD23547A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/08/2024. 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 may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customer. Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee 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 oper
