The Harry S. Truman VA in Columbia, MO, is recruiting for an Intermediate Care Technician. The Intermediate Care Technician will function in the Emergency Department within Ambulatory Care Nursing Service.
GS-7 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-6 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: Recognizing life threatening situations and act to correct these emergent situations according to established national or local protocols; understanding the legal/ethical considerations of critical care (e.g., actual/implied consent, patient rights, advanced directives, etc); taking and recording diagnostic signs to perform patient evaluations and screenings; assisting in behavioral/psychiatric situations; and assisting licensed personnel with complex, specialized, and potentially-life threatening situations. OR, Education: Successfully completed one (1) year of graduate education or internship directly related to the position at the next lower grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. If using education to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. OR, Combination: Equivalent combinations of creditable specialized experience and education as described above to meet the total experience requirements for the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Only education beyond a one-half year (e.g. 6 months; 9 semester hours) of graduate level education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. 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.
The incumbent assists ED licensed personnel with the delivery of care to patients with complex, specialized, and potentially life-threatening situations. This may include setting up equipment and passing instruments in the event of: cardioversions, insertion of thoracostomy tubes, or initiation of mechanical ventilation to restore normal physiological function or prevent deterioration of patient's condition. The incumbent must possess the knowledge to recognize life threatening situations and act to correct these emergent situations according to established national or local protocols. The incumbent initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS) and use of automatic external defibrillator(AED) once trained and certified and where appropriate according to American Heart Association (AHA) protocols and policies.Assists with airway management using bag-valve-mask (BVM), oral airway or nasal airway. May use pulse oximetry, capnometry, capnography, and/or other secondary confirmation methods to ensure correct placement of an emergency advanced airway. Operates specialized medical equipment such as defibrillators, electrocardiographs, and oxygen apparatus in accordance with applicable training and standards. Observes patient status and keeps licensed personnel informed of any change in condition.The incumbent provides support, relief, and coverage as needed to central station telemetry. The incumbent documents in the telemetry record and reports all observed electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in the patient's condition to the licensed staff. Incumbent performs measurements of PR,QRS, QT, RR, and QTC intervals, interprets rhythm, and prints rhythm strip every 8 hours or as required for events and informs appropriate staff. Incumbent recognizes lethal rhythms/arrhythmias (i.e. ventricular fibrillation and asystole) and immediately notifies appropriate staff. Incumbent admits, discharges, and assigns telemetry equipment to patients in central monitoring automated system. Work Schedule: 3 p.m. to Midnight, rotating weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Intermediate Care Technician (ED)/PDS0031A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized References: Please provide "References" with application. At a minimum two current or former supervisors or from individuals who were in a position of a professional nature. indicated if the Hiring manager may contact.