This position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the San Diego VA Medical Center (SDVAMC) in the Operating Room (OR). The primary purpose of the position is to provide support to licensed nursing staff by performing non-nursing tasks and activities necessary for efficient unit operation. The Health Technician position will not involve a patient care assignment.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION: GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 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: assisting with the preparation and protection of sterile fields during surgery; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, using knowledge of universal precautions; and implementing infection control policies and procedures. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 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 as an operating room health technician OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: assisting with the preparation and protection of sterile fields during surgery; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, using knowledge of universal precautions; and implementing infection control policies and procedures. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level. You must have successfully completed a full semester (9 semester hours) of graduate level education, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position as an operating room health technician OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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.
Some of the duties and responsibilities of this position include (but are not limited to): Assists with patient care in the Operating Room, including the OR Preop Holding Room Assists in transferring patient from gurney/bed to OR bed and OR bed to gurney/bed Assists with patients in the OR Preop Holding Room under RN supervision such as changing gowns and assisting/accompanying patients to the restroom Ensures patient care areas are clean and stocked with equipment and supplies Aids with perioperative nursing care in preparing patients for and/or undergoing surgical procedures by the surgical team Helps set up surgical suite with correct equipment to include OR tables (Berchtold, cysto, Jackson, fracture, OSI flat), microscopes, and video towers, robot and other equipment as needed. Picks up and returns equipment and supplies to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and/or Service Chain Management Service (SCMS) Observes for acute signs of distress, determines, and initiates emergency measures until professional staff arrives. Monitors hallways for clear access. Assists with turnover of the OR rooms, collects hazardous and biohazardous waste from the surgical suites and OR areas and delivers to a collection point for further appropriate disposal by contracted services. Performs other duties as assigned by the OR Nurse Manager, OR Assistant Nurse Manager-Educator, OR Unit Coordinator, and OR nurse Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday: 1030 -19:00 p.m., with rotations to 0630-1500 and 0830-1700 Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/ 11294-A Physical Requirements: The work requires physical demands as it relates to extensive periods of standing and walking, heavy lifting and carrying, straight pulling, lifting instrument trays, moving equipment, pushing case carts, assisting in patient transfers, repeated bending, stooping, stretching, reaching above shoulder, and use of fingers. Both hands required. Dexterity required in handling instruments, performing various pre-surgical procedures and for use of the computer and printer. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; and hearing without aid.