Health Technician

MAJOR DUTIES

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. The incumbent 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. The incumbent provides non-professional nursing care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior on a regular and recurring basis. When patients express or display suicidal ideation the incumbent intervenes by utilizing techniques per established procedures to keep the patient safe and maintain personal safety while awaiting assistance.

Personal Patient Care. The incumbent performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the the absence of or non-availability of medical escort staff the incumbent 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. Assisting patients with physical limitations such as swallowing disorders with meals. Assists patients with toileting needs providing incontinent care as necessary.


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

Work Schedule: Full Time Night Shift 7:30pm-8:00am Rotating days weekend and holidays
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD92902A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Probationary Period:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

• Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 02/05/2026.Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05. Specialized experience includes but not limited to; support professional licensed providers both nurses and physicians in designated clinical areas using diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment to perform non-invasive. Observes and reports to the provider changes in patient behavior attitude bodily complaints and appearance. Experience in duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the patient. Experience in patient ambulatory care. Experience in assisting in personal care duties such as bathing; demonstrates nursing standards for patient hygiene including bathing oral and hair care.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:


Education and Training

For GS-6: Successful completion of six (6) months of studies that include nine (9) semester hours of study in medical health or related fields.


Example: Internship or One(1) semester or nine (9) credit hours of graduate education directly related to positions


OR

A combination of graduate education and specialized experience. The total percentage of specialized experience and education when added together must equal 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-G6 i.e. 3 credit hours and 8 months of specialized experience are equivalent to 1 year.

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. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade as required by the this instance you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

• Clerical
• Computer Skills
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Decisiveness
• Emergency Care
• Interpersonal Skills
• Technical Competence