Health Technician - Direct Patient Care

Announcement

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND THE CLOSING DATE. The Health Technician position performs all duties under the direction of the RN and is assigned clinical and non‑clinical duties within Patient Care Services at the Wilmington VA Medical Center in Wilmington, DE.

The Health Technician position performs all duties under the direction of the RN and is assigned clinical and non‑clinical duties within Patient Care Services at the Wilmington VA Medical Center in Wilmington, DE.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
:
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Specialized Experience
:
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑04 level in federal service, with application of health‑technician methods and techniques. Experience includes tube feeding, vital sign taking, phlebotomy, specimen labeling, catheterization, 12‑lead ECG, non‑sterile dressings, bathing, grooming, toileting, etc. Experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit.

Education
:
Successful completion of a full 4‑year bachelor’s degree or at least 24 semester hours directly related to the position, obtained from an accredited institution. One year of undergraduate study defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. Transcripts required.

Specialized Experience and Education
:
Combination of education and experience as described above. Transcripts required.

Physical Requirements
:
Rotation of tours of duty and/or overtime may be required. Must push, pull, and lift no greater than 20 pounds over 12 hours. Must function in stressful situations. Volunteer experience counts.

For more information on these qualification standards, visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• *** NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION***; must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.
• Patient Care Tasks (70%) – Implement a full range of patient care to patients/residents with physical and behavioral problems in a hospital, long‑term care, or outpatient setting under RN/LPN direction.
• Examples include tube feeding, tracheostomy care and suction, straight catheterization, care of patients with complex medical and behavioral diagnoses, non‑sterile dressings, etc.
• Perform direct care – bathing, grooming, toileting.
• Demonstrate appropriate communication and interpersonal skills with patients, families, interdisciplinary team, and other personnel.
• Teach patients and families the necessity to continue procedures for proper health care.
• Provide specific health information based on the patient’s condition – e.g., acceptance of limited physical mobility, proper body mechanics, pre‑and post‑operative breathing techniques, colostomy care and irrigations, etc.
• Keep family informed of patient’s progress.
• Knowledge and ability to serve as a preceptor to new health technicians.
• Recognize and react to emergent patient care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.
• May perform treatment procedures including 12‑lead ECG, finger stick glucose testing, oxygen therapy, compresses, dressing changes, painting slings, initiating CPR, application of ACE bandages, monitoring vital signs, etc.
• Provide treatments that require auxiliary equipment – oxygen and suction.
• Use assistive devices – braces and splints.
• Discontinue intravenous peripheral sites.
• Collect, label, and transport patient specimens as appropriate – glucose testing data (GTS), routine phlebotomy, stool for guaiac, throat culture, sterile/non‑sterile urine specimens.
• Cleaning/Supply Technician Tasks (30%) – Maintain patient care supplies at appropriate levels in rooms and units, comply with SOP for reprocessing/precleaning reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Apply concepts/practices within the Holistic Approach to Transformational Change (HATCH) model.
• Participate in maintaining a clean–safe environment.
• Remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations.
• Contribute to infection control by utilizing proper aseptic techniques and standard precautions in the care of all patients, especially those with communicable diseases and those in isolation.
• Designated Drug‑Testing Position
  :
  Applicants selected will be subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal results in denial of employment. Positive drug test results result in denial of appointment.
• Work Schedule:
  
  Full Time – Monday to Friday – Different shifts available: 7:00–7:30 PM, 7:00–3:30 PM, with evenings/night rotations based on unit needs.
• Recruitment & Relocation
  
  Incentives:
  
  Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive:
  Not approved.