Health Technician (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)

Department of Veterans Affairs

The primary purpose of the position is to perform routine clinical procedures and tasks for which the incumbent has been deemed competent that do not require the judgement of a licensed health care professional. The incumbent functions under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse and is responsible to the Nurse Manager in the assigned clinical area. The incumbent functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the acute inpatient acute and critical care setting.

• Duties include but are not limited to: Operates and supports providers and Registered Nurses in designated clinical area using diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments/equipment including Electrocardiogram, Spirometry, Visual Acuity Screening, and Bladder scan according to established procedures and with documented competency. Locates and sets up equipment needed for complex diagnostic procedures. Operates, calibrates, and maintains medical instruments or equipment. Monitors and plans equipment inventory, routine equipment maintenance, and serves as a unit resource for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of non-critical, semi-critical, and critical Reusable Medical Devices. Demonstrates leadership in advocating patient safety and educate multidisciplinary staff in assigned area on RMD. Supports health and medical staff during diagnosis and treatment of patients. Gathers screening data on patients admitted to the hospital to include fall risk, allergies, current medications, homelessness, abuse, means and mode of arrival, danger to self or others, and exposure to communicable diseases. Recognizes and informs appropriate multidisciplinary health care team of deviations from baseline screening parameters. Performs phlebotomy in designated areas. Applies basic splints and performs dressing changes in designated areas. Performs Point of Care testing using glucometer devices according to established unit procedures and with competency validation. Educates other HT staff and serves as the expert resource in specialized equipment/supply maintenance, operation, and quality assurance monitoring. Performs 1:1 patient observation according to policy. Performs TMO monitoring as assigned. May be designated as a Rapid Response Team member when assigned to the ICU. Assisting patients with swallowing disorders with meals, bowel and bladder hygiene and assisting patients with oral/bath hygiene. Specimen collection procedures and point of care testing. Assists doctors and nurses in the performance of diagnostic examinations by performing duties such as monitoring vital signs and positioning the patient, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests per policy. Obtains and records measurements and vital signs and then reports deviations in vital signs and/or weight to the RN or provider. As directed by an RN, the HT performs routine diagnostic tests such as venipuncture, electrocardiogram, bladder scans, visual acuity screening appropriate for assigned clinical areas and demonstrated competency. Assists nurses and physicians in the care and treatment of critically ill and emergent patients. Observes and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. Reports observations of the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage, deviation in pulse, color, respiration, temperature, blood pressure, skin integrity, patency of airway, changes in wounds and reaction to treatments per protocol. Performs TMO monitoring for up to 12 patients simultaneously. Performs standardized treatment procedures requiring considerable training and experience such as performing pharyngeal suctions, setting up and regulating the flow of oxygen, or analyzing pulmonary waveforms, application of basic orthopedic splints. Provides nursing care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior. Recognizes emergency mental health situations such as suicidal ideation and intervenes by utilizing techniques to keep the patient safe while awaiting assistance per procedure. Performs constant observation for high-risk patients and follows procedure to ensure safety of room environment, maintaining line of sigh visual surveillance, and reporting changes in patient behavior to the RN. Equipment preparation, operation, and maintenance. Performs administrative tasks and manages medical support functions for clinic or practice such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken. Initiating work orders and following up to ensure the work is complete. Documents treatments and procedures that they have conducted in the electronic medical record. Orders and maintains specialized supplies needed for equipment and instruments used in assigned unit Works with logistics and nursing staff to establish par levels of supplies for assigned unit and ensures supplies are readily available for patient care. Assists with stocking and room turn-over to ensure the patient care environment is prepared to receive and care for patients. Identifies equipment that is malfunctioning and uses the proper procedure to submit a work order, track progress, and/or to turn the equipment in for decommissioning. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)/PD39018A

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