Intermediate Care Technician

The full performance, Critical Care Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) is assigned to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This position serves as an advanced technician for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Step-down Unit, and/or Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) for patients who are present for treatment.

All candidates must have current First Aid and Basic Life Support training before they begin working as part of the Rapid Response Team (RRT).

The incumbent performs ongoing patient care duties in a critical care setting under the delegated authority of the supervising physician, licensed independent provider (LIP), and/or advanced practice provider (APP) assigned, credentialed, privileged and competent in the management and care of the patient. All ICTs are expected to communicate with their supervising physicians, licensed independent provider (LIP), and advanced practice provider (APP) to provide collaborative, timely and appropriate patient care. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• This may involve obtaining patient health history, chief complaints, medication history, and identification of health related conditions that may impact the patient's health status.
• The incumbent will evaluate patients for emergent/non-emergent medical conditions, order appropriate diagnostic studies and perform a wide range of treatment procedures under the direction of the supervising physician.
• Necessary interventions based upon patient symptoms and established protocols/standards of care should be part of the routine capabilities of this position.
• The incumbent also assists in behavioral and psychiatric situations to include crisis intervention and management of aggressive or suicidal psychiatric patients.
• The incumbent also assists supervising physicians with complex, specialized, and potentially life threatening procedures such as defibrillation, cardioversions, insertion of chest drainage tubes, or initiation of mechanical ventilation to restore normal physiological function or prevent deterioration of the patient's condition.
• The incumbent may perform airway management using BIPAP and advanced airway techniques including the use of LMA and oral intubations using a laryngoscope if properly trained, credentialed and privileged.

Not required

No

None

• Job family (Series)

  0640 Health Aid And Technician

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  
  GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 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: Practical knowledge of major body systems to include skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive and genitourinary; Obtaining patient health history, chief complaints, medication history, and identification of health related conditions that may impact the patient's health status; Performing diagnostic tests such as Vital signs and EKG; Evaluate patients for emergent/non-emergent medical conditions, order appropriate diagnostic studies and perform a wide range of treatment procedures under the direction of the supervising physician; Conducting, Rapid strep swabs, Urine dip, Urine pregnancy test, Visual acuity; Administration of: Oxygen, Basic IV fluids, Nebulized medications, limited PO meds, IM meds/immunizations/vaccines; Independently recognized life threatening situations and act to correct these according to established national or facility protocols; and the duties listed in the "Duties section" of this announcement.
  
  OR
  
  Education: There is typically no educational substitution for the GS-7 level. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).
  
  OR
  
  Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 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-XX. 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.
  
  Preferred Experience: Emergency Response - In addition to ongoing critical care duties, the incumbent may be asked to respond to medical emergencies on the facility grounds, and sometimes encounters situations which may be life threatening as part of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), Code Blue, or medical transport team. The incumbent appropriately implements emergency care in accordance with established protocols and policies. Works in concert with other members of these teams to determine the nature, extent, and seriousness of the patient's condition including the search for medical alert symbols and medications. ICTs will obtain and maintain certification in basic life support (BLS), and other certifications as pertinent to their local facility.
  
  Physical Requirements: The work involves extended periods of heavy moving and lifting of patients and equipment. Generally, the work requires recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and positioning of patients. Education

  Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
  
  If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

  Additional information

  The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  
  The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
  
  Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  
  This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

  If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

  
  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
  

  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Not Required

  Drug test required

  Yes

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  Documents Accepted:
  

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • First Aid and BLS training/certifications
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  
  Documents Required:
  
  • First Aid and BLS training/certifications
  • Resume
  
  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
  
  Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
  
  Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. Agency employees, please apply to: CBSX-11226588-21-DM