Summary The Leavenworth VAMC is seeking a qualified Health Technician to serve our veterans in the Ambulatory Care department. The tour of duty for this position is primarily evening, night, and or week-end hours as needed and scheduled by the Supervisor. Responsibilities EKHCS is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Duties to include but not limited to the following: Maintains a current knowledge on procedures, policies, and directives related to work duties. Performs routine phlebotomy, electrocardiograms, aerosol respiratory therapy, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chart documentation duties, direct patient care duties, patient and family teaching duties, and patient safety duties. Performs and documents patient and family teaching that includes patient instruction for home care concerning breathing exercises, treatments, and rehabilitation. Instructs patients to perform incentive spirometry and follows up with patient to ensure proper usage. Records treatments, findings, and progress in the patient record. Reports to the professional nurse or physician any significant signs, symptoms, or behavioral changes observed in the patient. Performs standard 12-lead EKGs, and performs necessary maintenance, storage, and cleaning of EKG equipment for the next use of the equipment. Performs venipuncture according to written protocols to ensure proper collection, labeling, handling, and delivery of blood specimens to the laboratory. Uses aseptic technique to obtain blood cultures. Collects specimens for blood glucose analysis using the blood glucose monitoring instrument. Enters and verifies completed test results, and reports results to appropriate individuals. Calibrates, cleans, and maintains the instrument. Completes appropriate laboratory documents to accompany blood samples to the laboratory. Transports patients and specimens to required destinations. Prepares and assists with examinations, diagnostic, and therapeutic tests according to written procedures and policies. Performs and records a variety of advanced specialized treatments that include nasal, nasopharyngeal and/or tracheotomy suctioning, inserting urethral and suprapubic catheters, institutes and maintains bladder irrigations with three-way urethral catheters. Utilizes aseptic techniques when applying compresses or complicated dressings that may include irrigations and packing, and empties Hemovac and Jackson-Pratt drains. Provides care for patients requiring artificial ventilatory assistance. Performs clerical duties including answering phones, making copies, and other tasks as needed. All other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: This position is posted at the full performance level. Preferred Experience: 2 years of phlebotomy experience. Work Schedule: PRN Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - PRN/PD1147A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 Physical Requirements: This position requires a tuberculosis screening. 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. 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, 11/25/2024. You may qualify based on your experience 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: determining technical factors, setting controls, calibrating, and operating equipment and instruments such as an occult blood analyzer; proper cleaning of laboratory equipment; performing minor maintenance of laboratory equipment; accepting patient orders; printing labels; selecting proper tubes and containers; determining correct handling environment for each specimen submitted for referral laboratory testing; ensuring fire, safety, disaster and infection control procedures are implemented; instructing patients on proper specimen collection procedures; preparing specimens to be sent to outside laboratories; answering telephone calls; coordinating information and actions relating to patient care and services; using courtesy and sound business etiquette in all interactions. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information "Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act." This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.