Health Technician

Summary The Health Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members surgical procedures. The Health Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. Responsibilities The Health Technician serves as the primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical and endoscopic procedures such as: Thoracic, Oncology, Laparoscopic, Podiatry, Gynecology, Urology, and total joint replacement surgery. Additional duties will include, but are not limited to: Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment, Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time, Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assists the team members With care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens' appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure,Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures, Prepares. prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR) staffing the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in' surgical Procedures. Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor). and takes corrective action. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 6:00am to 2:30 varied + on call Position Description Title/PD : Health Technician - Recruitment Incentive Authorized/PD02085A Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Candidates must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Specialized Experience: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: must possess the skills for use of common podiatric instrumentations, an understanding of the anatomy of the spine and limbs, musculoskeletal terminology, and the basic biomechanics. Knowledge of the spectrum of musculoskeletal disease and the ability to recognize this wide range of pathology, must possess a working knowledge of common medications orthotics, lab test, and x-rays, and the ability to determine the best application of these to patients on a consistent basis, knowledge as to the proper operation and maintenance of podiatric equipment used during patient examinations and treatment situations, knowledge and skills of aseptic practices in order to clean, package, and sterilize instruments, and to disinfect the area and equipment with strict adherence to aseptic technique, knowledge areas of patient scheduling, patient referrals, and ordering of supplies and equipment, basis computer skills to maintain and develop a diagnostic coding system for records and in the operation of the health care center computer system, and knowledge in computer and use of electronic medical records, must have advanced skill levels sufficient to evaluate common podiatric pathologies and perform common podiatric procedures that require considerable training and experience to carry out such as skin and toenail debridement. The technician must be able to apply and remove strappings, casts, braces, therapy devices and compression dressings. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Additional Information The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.