Health Technician

Veterans Health Administration • North Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This Health Technician position is located in the Medical/Surgical/Telemetry Unit, part of Inpatient Acute Care Directorate at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois, West Campus. The purpose of the position is to assist in the care and management of patients in the acute care setting. The position provides clinical, technical, and direct patient care support.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and an online assessment.
• 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• 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.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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).
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the Health Technician position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 level. Technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledges, methods, and techniques of the Health Technician position, including: providing basic patient care including assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL); performing basic nursing skills, such as obtaining and documenting vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry); performing hourly rounding on patients with a purpose (pain, potty, positioning, proximity, pump); and documenting electronic patient medical records.
• Successful completion of one-half year of graduate education or an internship in course matter that directly relates to the work of the Health Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
• Equivalent combinations of graduate education and specialized experience (as described above) to meet the requirements at the GS-6 level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
• The work involves periods of prolonged extensive or considerable standing/walking or sitting, lifting, positioning, pushing and/or transferring patients.
• The position requires lifting supplies and equipment and considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching.

Nice To Haves

• Willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

Responsibilities

• Admits and provides patient orientation to the room and unit.
• Performs basic nursing skills including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry, finger stick for glucose monitoring, oral suctioning, nasal swabs, and discontinuation of peripheral IV catheter.
• Documents patient information on flow sheets in the Electronic Health Record and/or paper flow sheets.
• Notifies ICU telemetry monitoring technician when admitting patient to telemetry.
• Performs standard 12-lead EKG using the multi-channel EKG machine.
• Activates Code Blue and initiates CPR when indicated.
• Reinforces patient education provided by physician or RN on infection prevention and signs and symptoms of infection.
• Assists with toileting needs as appropriate; provides catheter care.
• Responds appropriately and sensitively to death and dying patients, their families, and loved ones.
• Ambulates patients with/without assistive devices and provides passive range of motion as directed by the RN.
• Feeds patients orally including those who are at risk for aspiration, after appropriate training.
• Transports patients to and from appointments from any area within the hospital and infrequently, to designated appointments outside the hospital.
• Prepares patient rooms for admission.
• Prepares patient room for cleaning after discharge.
• Restocks supplies and equipment used outside and inside of room.
• Assists charge nurse as necessary with updating the Bed Management System Board, answering phones.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree