Clarification from the agency

1. Current, permanent employees of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL and its outreach facilities including CBOCs and VCS employees. 2. Current, permanent employees of the VA Nationwide.

Full Performance GS-07 Duties include but may not be limited to the following:

• Conducting physical inventories of general equipment, ensuring that all Bar Code Administration (BCMA( software and hardware (e.g., scanners, computer on wheels and printers) is functioning properly.
• Monitoring and verifying the functionality and operations of the Bar Code Backup Unit (BCBU).Collaborate with Nursing, Biomed, and IT Operations and Services (ITOPS) staff to resolve technical problems promptly
• Assists in conducting training sessions for employees on evaluating and maintaining BCMA hardware and software operations
• Utilize troubleshooting guides to resolve BCMA issues and will escalate work orders to Biomed and/or IT if they are unable to resolve the issue
• Maintain a list of submitted work orders, monitor their status, and be responsible for coordinating their resolution and report status of workorders to BCMA Coordinator for further review and action
• Serves as a liaison between the Nursing, Biomed, and IT departments to facilitate smooth BCMA operations
• Communicate any issues or unit/ward downtime promptly to BCMA Coordinator
• Provide updates on status of equipment with work orders to staff and provide contingency plans until the equipment is fully functioning
• Develop justifications and/or provide recommendations for budget and purchase of equipment, supplies, and materials related to BCMA operations
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm with scheduling flexibility required. May be required to provide coverage to all tours if needed.
Virtual: This is not a virtual/remote position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (BCMA)/PD252460
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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
• 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 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, 11/25/2025.

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. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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 announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

In addition to meeting the time in grade requirement, you must meet the following minimum qualifications requirements.

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

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-06) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print; Hospital's performance improvement programs; Work and function in the Hospital in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment; Age-specific care, as identified in the Age-Specific Competencies, including knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups; Practical knowledge and understanding of the Bar Code Medication Administration system, including hardware (e.g. scanners and printers) and software. Proficiency in using and troubleshooting Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) equipment. Basic understanding of pharmacy operations and medication administration processes. Familiarity with medication, safety protocols, and guidelines.

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent), or an internship in course matter with a major that included courses directly related to the work of the Health Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (Transcripts Required).

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that equals the total amount of required experience. (Transcripts required)


You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Biomedical Equipment Technology
• Communications
• Information Systems/Network Security
• Information Technology Performance Assessment
• Operations Support

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 requires a level of physical fitness that allows standing for extended periods, heavy lifting to move equipment and supplies up to 25 pounds. The work will require recurrent bending, lifting, stooping, standing, squatting, stretching, sitting and walking.

Work Environment:: work primarily in a healthcare setting, which may involve exposure to infectious diseases. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

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/.

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.

Note: Evidence of experience, must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on your application or resume. Also, please provide work experience information such as hours per week and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish one (1) full year of experience. The requirement for this proof is specified in the "How to Apply" section of this announcement. To be credible, experience must be documented in the application and verifiable through employment references and/or other means. *Your resume must support your answers in the occupational questionnaire.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• 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.

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