Health Technician

Department of Veterans Affairs

The position works at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Nursing Service, SHBS, and works closely with nurses, physicians, and other members of the acute care team. The Health Technician provides clinical, programmatic, technical, and clerical support in the interdisciplinary inpatient setting. The incumbent performs basic care for patients under the supervision of the Nurse Supervisor and/or designee, and in collaboration with medical providers.

• Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Interview patients to complete basic health screening, as well as perform radiology procedures such as MRI and CT. Collects patient data specific to health care needs, including vital signs, pain level, weight, height, functional status, and observation of overall condition. Assists with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and exams by preparing patients, ensuring privacy, and applying aseptic principles. Works with Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and Biomedical Engineering on ongoing inventory of expired items and equipment maintenance. The incumbent will assist in data collection, patient scheduling, and consult recall, and comply with VA and National Patient Confidentiality and Privacy Guidelines and scheduling requirements. FACTOR 1: Knowledge Required by the Position: The incumbent must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position, including those necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must have academic and clinical training in the many techniques and tests utilized within acute care and radiology settings. Standardized training and tests will be provided to the incumbent for the AvaSys Telesitter System and will be measured in his/her annual performance. FACTOR 2: Supervisory Controls: Incumbent reports directly to the Nurse Manager or the Nursing Supervisors. The supervisor will do periodic consultations and reviews to ensure all required procedures are being performed appropriately and safely by the incumbent. Written and /or verbal assignments are provided. FACTOR 3: Guidelines: Written and oral guidelines and instructions provide the basis for guidelines in performing the work. In addition, standard operating procedures unique to individual test/instrumentation are available for guidance. Appropriate independent judgment is expected in providing the highest quality service possible and in managing multiple tasks in a restricted timeframe. FACTOR 4: Complexity: Work involved in patient care includes patient privacy and confidentiality of patient information. The broad nature of the assignment in performing a variety of basic technical support activities (ECG, BCLS, AED) and routine service-oriented tasks (escort, equipment/facility maintenance) requires the incumbent to organize workflow in such a manner as to promote and enhance the timely provision of services to the Position Description. Factor 5 - Scope and Effect: The purpose of the position is to provide support for specialized procedures for acute care nurses and medical providers to ensure efficient, high-quality care. The work has a significant effect on the accuracy and reliability of further treatment. Factor 6 - Personal Contacts: The incumbent will interact with acute care nurses, medical providers, clerical staff, radiology staff, other employees in the health care system, patients, their families and friends, and outside agencies, such as equipment or supply vendors. Factor 7 - Purpose of Contacts: The personal contacts involve providing service to patients, enhancing the image of the facility with the public through efficient and compassionate performance of duties, and assisting staff with a wide variety of tasks which permit maximum utilization of Medical Center resources. Factor 8 - Physical Demands: Good hearing and visual acuity are required. The work involves standing long hours, walking, bending, and reaching on a routine basis. The work requires the incumbent to be mobile throughout the Medical Center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting (moderate to heavy). The incumbent must be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment and escorting patients that may be in wheelchairs and/or gurneys. Factor 9 - Work Environment: Work will be performed in a complex acute care environment, subjecting the incumbent to risks associated with a hospital setting. Work is performed in an environment involving exposure to infection, hazardous materials, contagious diseases, and requires normal safety precautions. Work areas are noisy with regular and recurring turbulence and unpredictable conditions generated by patients. The employee is potentially subject to physical and verbal abuse from patients and is required to follow assaultive policy and procedures. Other Duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time; 7:30 am - 4:00 pm/7:30 am - 8:00 pm, or as determined by the supervisor. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/00817-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

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