"Alerted.org

Summary This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wi. The incumbent is assigned as a Health Technician (HT) within the Acute Outpatient Nursing Division. The incumbent supports the Ambulatory Infusion Center, Vascular Access Team, and Quick Draw services as a non-licensed member of the nursing team. Responsible for supporting quality and timely patient care. Responsibilities Major Duties: Clinical Operates and maintains (at the user level) a wide variety of physiologic monitoring, measuring and\ computing devices (such as vital machines and EKG machines) to display and record vital patient parameters for review by clinical staff. Obtains and documents patient vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, and orthostatic vital signs). Recognizes and reports abnormal values to the Registered Nurse (RN) or provider staff. Initiates cardiac monitoring correctly and can print vital sign history. Prepares patients for and obtains 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs); provides privacy and emotional support during test. Able to retrieve and print 12-lead ECGs from computer system (CPRS-VISTA imaging) and/or MUSE system Performs venipuncture to obtain serum blood samples and blood cultures as ordered according to policy and procedure. Inserts peripheral intravenous (IV) angiocatheter into peripheral arm veins and convert to saline lock according to policy and procedures - able to discontinue peripheral IVs. Collects, labels, and sends laboratory specimens as ordered according to policy and procedure. Performs point-of-care testing, documents and reports results according to policy and procedure. Takes appropriate action for critical values. Performs a variety of specialized treatments not involving medication administration such as changing wound dressings, assisting with patient positioning, and setting up appropriate equipment for the specialized treatment. Moves, lifts, transfers and transports patients as necessary using proper safe patient handling techniques and equipment. Assists patients to ambulate and transfer safely. Observes changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the LPN, RN, or provider. Recognizes emergency situations and responds to them appropriately. Follows standard procedures set by infection control in all aspects of daily duties. Disposes of infectious material per facility policies. Verbally reports and documents in the medical record observations and treatments given to patients, using standard nomenclature and approved forms. Initiates and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Cleans reusable equipment according to policy and procedures. Administrative: Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of equipment and supplies. When stocking ensures supplies are rotated and not expired. Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients to achieve desired results; Provides emotional support, friendly assistance, sympathetic understanding and encouragement to patients and families. Motivates patients, their families, and caregivers to learn proper health maintenance by reminding of and reinforcing educational instructions/messages. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, variable tours 7:00am-4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD20246O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Approved Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. If a new probation/trial period is required, upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/27/2025. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: Must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-4) that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, methods, and techniques to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: Performing phlebotomy and Electrocardiogram (EKG) duties. Demonstrating knowledge of the changes associated with aging and the principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric patient group. Recognizing abnormal respiratory status. Setting up of equipment for a variety of tests, adjusting the equipment, position patient, and taking down equipment and replenish supplies. Using computer programs and standard office machines to accomplish office activities. Certification in Basic CPR is required. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Combination: Must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education that includes courses directly related to the work of the position and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (i.e. 30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is partially sedentary. Typically the employee sits comfortably to do the work. Part of the job assignment/ work requires the assistant to spend part of the tour on his/her feet with moderate amounts of walking, bending, pushing, pulling and occasional moderate to heavy lifting. The individual may be required to be on the hands and knees position to assist in mat activities with patients. Occasional moderate to heavy lifting may be required on a daily basis. This may include lifting patients in and out of wheelchairs, lifting boxes of supplies, etc 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 A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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/.