Health Technician - Patient Care Service

Health Technician - Patient Care Service

The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Health Technician, aligned under Patient Care service, at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI. This position, at the full performance level, with appropriate competency validation(s), is assigned to one or more areas overseen by the Nursing Service of the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) Patient Care Services. Responsibilities Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Diagnostic Testing and Therapeutic Processes:
• Supports professional, licensed providers, both nurses and physicians in designated clinical area using diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment to perform non-invasive Electrocardiograms and Bladder Scans according to established procedures.
• Applies basic orthopedic splints and performs dressing changes in designated areas.
• Performs phlebotomy in designate Point of Care (POC) testing using glucometer and I-Stat devices and CLI authorized, according to established unit procedures.
• Documents treatment and/or telemetry identification conducted by the incumbent in the electronic medical record.
• Care and Treatment of Patients with Critical and Emergent Conditions:
• Assists professional, licensed providers, including nursing staff and physicians, in the care and treatment of the critically ill and those with emergent needs.
• Observes and reports to the provider changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance.
• Reports observations of the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage; deviation in baseline cardiac rhythm, pulse, skin tone and integrity, respiration, temperature, blood pressure, protection and patency of airway; and changes in wounds.
• Care and Treatment of Patients with Acute and Chronic Mental Health Conditions:
• Provides non-professional nursing care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior on a regular and recurring basis.
• Intervenes by utilizing techniques per established procedures to keep the patient safe, and maintain personal safety, while awaiting assistance when patients express or display suicidal ideation.
• Personal Patient Care:
• Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the patient. Transports patients via wheelchair or gurney, accompanying ambulatory patients who need assistance reporting to various areas within the hospital including clinics, diagnostic areas, and treatment areas.
• Performs simple personal care duties such as bathing; demonstrates nursing standards for patient hygiene including bathing, oral, nail, and hair care.
• Assists patients with physical limitations such as swallowing disorders with meals. Assists patients with toileting needs, providing incontinent care as necessary.
• Patient Communication:
• Empowers patients and their families, encouraging them to acknowledge and address personal healthcare issues and embrace recommended follow up as well as self-care.
• Enhances the customer experience with positive human interactions and therapeutic alliances, promoting the coordination, continuity and integration of care.
• Documentation and Record Keeping:
• Performs administrative tasks and manages various support functions for clinic or practice such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken.
• Initiates work orders, following up to ensure the work is completed. Orders and maintains supplies for unit.
• Coordinates with Medical Support Assistants to ensure patient tracking is initiated during check-in, scheduling of appointments for procedures, provider evaluations, etc., from other services.
• Medical Equipment/Supplies:
• Works with SPS, Logistics and nursing staff to establish par levels of supplies for assigned unit and ensures supplies are readily available for patient care.
• Monitors and plans equipment inventory and routine equipment maintenance. Places orders and maintains specialized supplies needed for equipment and instruments used in assigned unit.
• Assists with stocking and room turnover to ensure the patient care environment is prepared to receive and care for patients.

Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Full time, Day Shift, 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM (6x per pay period) and 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM (1x per pay period) with rotating weekends and holidays

Requirements Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/04/2025.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Interchange Agreement: Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Physical Requirements: Provides non-professional nursing care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior on a regular and recurring basis. Responds to emergency mental health situations, where danger of physical attack by patients requires special training.
• When patients express or exhibit suicidal ideation, the incumbent intervenes by utilizing techniques per established procedures to keep the patient safe, and maintain personal safety, while awaiting assistance.

Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level.