Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:

Operates Equipment and Assists Medical or Nursing Staff with or Performs Diagnostic Procedures
The incumbent provides support to licensed personnel by operating equipment and assisting medical/nursing staff with or performing diagnostics procedures.

Health Care Procedures
The incumbent with independently and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse perform a variety of health care procedures.

Personal Patient Care
The incumbent will perform personal patient care duties.

Clerical/Administrative Support and Coordination
The incumbent will provide administrative and clerical support.

Maintains Patient Records and Patient Care Documentation
The incumbent will follow all established TVHS policies and procedures related to patient records and documentation

Customer Service The incumbent maintains contacts with patients, staff, and other individuals within and outside the medical center in a concerned, compassionate, respectful and helpful manner. Demonstrates regard for privacy and confidentiality in all matters in accordance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Teaches Patients Proper Health Care Practices and Mentors New Health Technicians
The incumbent will be responsible for providing patient education as directed. He/she will mentor and precept new staff in the appropriate policies and procedures within the Emergency Department as well as Minneapolis VA Medical Center policies and procedures.

Reusable Medical Equipment
The incumbent will be responsible for following established policies and procedures related to the handling and processing of reusable medical equipment. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designated by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved with the reprocessing of RME are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule:
Full Time:Days and/or Evenings, to be discussed during interview.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Emergency DepartmentPD60704A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period
• Selected applicants will be required to complete a physical
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• 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)

• 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.

Qualifications

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

English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Individual Occupational Requirement for 0640 Series: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled - Health Technician.

GS6 Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Qualifying specialized experience includes, applying basic knowledge of basic anatomy/physiology and medical techniques to support direct patient care and communication with patients, staff and family members; utilizing, setting up and maintaining various types of equipment and instruments used in the ER; entering specific information into patient records using appropriate terminology; performing tests in emergent situations, including phlebotomy, spirometry and EKG. **Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

OR,

Education - Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level: You musthave successfully completed half a year (1/2) of graduate level education that is directly related to the work of this position. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (Transcripts Required) OR,

Combination of Experience and Education - Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level: You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as listed above. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required)

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.

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.

Physical Requirements: Work requires extensive periods of standing. It also requires regular walking, bending, lifting and carrying of items that may exceed 45 pounds. The work requires above agility and dexterity. The employee may be scheduled to work varying hours/tours of duty and may be required to work overtime to complete the daily schedule.

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a hospital setting (emergency room) where regular and recurring exposure to contagious and infectious diseases is present that requires special safety precautions. Special gloves, gowns, masks, and use of aseptic techniques may be 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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

• Resume

Next steps