Duties
Duties:
The HT functions as a highly skilled member of the staff and provides clinical & administrative support for the delivery of acute and non-acute care in the Medical Specialty Clinics.
Clinical
- Maintain clinic efficiency keeping Providers and Veterans on time and reporting delays and changes to those involved. Assist with clinical reminder questions.
- Prepare clinic schedules and room assignments for the next day, setting these out in AM and before PM clinics.
- Upload home glucometers, and continuous glucose monitoring devices.
- Operates and maintains ( at the user level) a wide variety of physiologic monitoring, measuring and computing devices to display and record vital patient parameters.
- Obtains and documents patient vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, and orthostatic vital signs). Recognizes and reports abnormal values to the Registered Nurse (RN) or provider staff.
- Initiates cardiac monitoring correctly and can print vital sign history.
- Prepares patients for and obtains 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs); provides privacy and emotional support during test. Able to retrieve and print 12-lead ECGs from computer system (CPRS-VISTA imaging) and/or MUSE system.
- Performs venipuncture to obtain serum blood samples and blood cultures as ordered according to policy and procedure.
- Collects, labels, and sends laboratory specimens as ordered according to policy and procedure.
- Performs point-of-care testing, documents and reports results according to policy and procedure. Takes appropriate action for critical values.
- Performs a variety of specialized treatments within Medical Specialty Clinics not involving medication administration.
- Moves, lifts, transfers and transports patients as necessary using proper safe patient handling techniques and equipment. Assists patients to ambulate and transfer safely.
- Observes changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the LPN, RN, or provider. Recognizes emergency situations and responds to them appropriately.
- Follows standard procedures set by infection control in all aspects of daily duties. Disposes of infectious material per facility policies.
- Verbally reports and documents in the medical record observations and treatments given to patients, using standard nomenclature and approved forms.
- Initiates and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
- Cleans reusable equipment according to policy and procedures.
- Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of equipment and supplies. When stocking ensures supplies are rotated and not expired.
- Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients to achieve desired results; Provides emotional support, friendly assistance, sympathetic understanding and encouragement to patients and families.
ADMINISTRATIVE
- Uses sound judgment to work with staff to prioritize patient needs and institute timely interventions.
- Contributes to creating a work climate that encourages positive staff morale, motivation, and commitment for all who participate in the care of patients.
- Assists with answering phones and placing calls/pages as needed and relays messages in a timely manner.
- Is respectful for safeguarding patient records during visit in accordance with the Privacy Act and medical center policies.
- Attends and participates in training opportunities in order to plan high quality patient care.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, variable tours from 7:00am to 5:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician
/PD23514A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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
- 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/18/2025.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-4) in the Federal Service that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Health Technician. Specialized experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques related to the position and includes, but is not limited to: skill in phlebotomy to draw blood of patients of varying complexity. Using various computer menus such as CPRS, DHCP, and email. Knowledge of processing and storage requirements for lab specimens. Upload home glucometers, and continuous glucose monitoring devices. Prepares patients for and obtains 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs); Able to retrieve and print 12-lead ECGs from computer system. Knowledge of infection control, aseptic and sterile technique to prevent cross contamination and spread infection. Recognizing, reporting and assisting in emergency situations including CPR. Ability to recognize normal and abnormal EKGs. Knowledge of alternative position techniques for patients for the performance of EKG or phlebotomy. Skilled in interpersonal communication, both internally and externally, with patients and employees.
OR,
Education: Must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
OR,
COMBINATION of Education and Experience: Must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education as stated above and experience to meet total experience requirements. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (i.e. 30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Computer Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Infection Control
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.
Note:
A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The work involves periods of prolonged extensive or considerable standing/walking. Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients. Lifts supplies/equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Other (1)
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
- An SF-50 showing 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 announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
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.