Health Technician Emergency Department (EMT)

Veterans Health Administration • Bay Pines, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician Emergency Department provides clinical and clerical support in a rapidly changing Emergency Department environment. The role manages routing and non-routine assignments, works autonomously, and supports the quality and timeliness of department services. Duties include preparing patients for examinations; assisting with diagnostic, therapeutic, and examination procedures; and setting up equipment and supplies using aseptic techniques.

The technician obtains and documents vital signs, sets up and uses vital-sign measurement equipment, suction and oxygen equipment, and identifies appropriate oxygen-delivery devices. The role initiates cardiac monitoring, manages patient admission to and discharge from monitoring, prints rhythm strips as needed, prepares patients for 12-lead ECGs, maintains and cleans ECG equipment, transmits ECGs electronically, and retrieves ECGs from the CPRS or ECG database.

Additional clinical duties include inserting peripheral angiocaths and obtaining blood samples, performing venipunctures, labeling and sending specimens according to policy, performing urinary catheter insertions and irrigations and discontinuing catheters when ordered, and conducting finger-stick glucose tests with results reported and documented according to policy. The position requires a current NREMT certification and satisfactory completion of an EMT course. The work schedule includes rotating weekends from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; telework is not available.

Applicants must meet the GS-640-06 qualification requirement of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-640-05 level. The role is subject to VA employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship, an online assessment, pre-appointment drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• Current NREMT certification and satisfactory completion of an EMT course; the requirements section also identifies EMT/Paramedic.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-640-05 grade level, including experience relevant to the duties of the position.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Complete all required application steps, including an online assessment.
• Tentatively selected applicants for testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• No educational substitution is available at this grade level.
• Specialized experience examples include providing technical support to an Emergency Department; observing and reporting vital signs, deformities, swelling, pallor, and mental status; accurately performing 12-lead ECGs; correctly applying ECG and oxygen-monitoring equipment; and overseeing patients under special observation for behavioral-health emergencies.

Nice To Haves

• Active certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) credentials.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology and ability to apply it in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Demonstrated multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Ability to maintain composure and accuracy in high-stress, chaotic situations.
• Experience in pre-hospital or hospital Emergency Department settings.
• Physical capability to stand and walk for extended periods and safely perform heavy lifting or moving of patients as required by Emergency Department operations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for examinations.
• Assist with diagnostic, therapeutic, and examination procedures; set up equipment and supplies using aseptic techniques.
• Obtain and document patient vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations, weight, oxygen saturation, and postural vital signs.
• Set up and use electronic thermometers and vital-sign measurement equipment, including manual measurements and pulse oximetry.
• Set up suction and oxygen equipment and identify the correct oxygen-delivery device.
• Initiate cardiac monitoring; admit and discharge patients from the monitoring system; and print rhythm strips when needed.
• Prepare patients for 12-lead ECGs and run a 30-second rhythm strip when requested or when the rhythm is abnormal.
• Perform preventative maintenance, electronically transmit ECGs, and clean ECG equipment.
• Retrieve and print patient ECGs from the CPRS and/or ECG database.
• Insert peripheral arm-vein angiocaths and obtain blood for laboratory tests according to policy and procedure.
• Perform venipunctures to obtain serum blood samples according to ED and laboratory policy.
• Label specimens at the patient's bedside and send laboratory specimens according to orders and policy.
• Perform urinary catheter insertions and irrigations according to policy and procedure, and discontinue catheters when ordered.
• Perform finger-stick blood glucose testing and report and document results in the medical record according to laboratory and medical-center policies.
• Provide technical support to the Emergency Department and take critical observations within the technician's level of competency.
• Oversee patients under special observation status for behavioral-health emergencies.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual-leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed