Health Technician - Critical Care

The incumbent will be assigned to work in the Critical Care Service Line (CCSL) of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). The incumbent will be supervised by the Critical Care Technician Supervisor. The Healthcare Technician in the Critical Care (CCT) is a highly specialized position, providing both clinical and administrative support while performing duties traditionally done by multiple staff in other services and sections.

Duties include but are not limited to the following :

• Performs venipunctures, labels and sends specimens to lab
• Obtain blood cultures via venipuncture and / or CVAD which is a task specific to CCTs only.
• Performs glucometer checks and notifies assigned RN or provider of results.
• Performs 12 lead EKGs and gives printout to RN to provide to physician.
• Responds and assists with codes in the CCSL.
• Obtains and immediately delivers blood products from blood bank to assigned RN.
• Performs or assists RN with personal care, such as body and oral hygiene, dressing / undressing, and toileting / elimination-ensuring patient privacy at all times.
• Assist RN in patient care. The incumbent will be required to assist in patient care as directed to include but not limited to dressing changes, triage, turning and positioning of patients, enema administration, postmortem care and morgue transfers.
• Performs or assists RN with search and inventory of patient belongings.
• Assists with transfers and ambulation of patients.
• Provides direct observation for both suicidal / homicidal patients, as well as those patients requiring direct observation for safety (e.g., fall or elopement risk).
• Answer call lights and communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse. Assists with meal set-up and / or feeds patients as needed also assists with utensil counts when needed.
• Measures and records the following vital signs in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) vital signs package and notifies assigned RN or provider : Temperature (oral and rectal), pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pain level.
• Measures and empties urine output from urinary catheters and notifies RN or provider.
• Collects and sends routine urine, stool, and sputum specimens.
• Transports patients, as directed, to designated areas.
• Cleans dirty reusable medical device (RMD).
• Reviews for expired stocks and supplies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Routinely displays courteous and respectful behavior to all customers.

Promotion Potential : The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule : rotating tours of duty to include weekends, off-tours and holidays

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Position Description / PD# : Health Technician - Critical Care / PD09782A and PD00591A

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI) : Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized