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Summary The Health Technician (HT) operates at full performance capacity, managing routine and non-routine assignments independently while demonstrating proficiency in handling routine tasks autonomously. Health Technician aims to enhance the quality and timeliness of clinical and clerical support services provided. Responsibilities vary based on the requirements of direct care providers, registered nurses, and patient care demands. Responsibilities Health Technician (HT) duties consist of but are not limited to the following: Prepare patients for examinations Assist with diagnostic, therapeutic, and exam procedures setting up equipment, and supplies while utilizing aseptic techniques. Obtain and document patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations, actual weight, oxygen saturation, and postural vital signs. Set up and use electronic thermometers, vital sign measurement equipment, including manual measurements, and pulse oximetry. Sets up suction, and oxygen equipment, and demonstrates the ability to identify the correct oxygen delivery device. Initiate cardiac monitoring and admit/discharges patients from the monitoring system and print rhythm strips if needed. Prepares patients and obtains a 12-lead Electrocardiograph (ECG). The HT may be required to run a 30-second rhythm strip if requested or if the rhythm is abnormal Perform preventative maintenance, transmit ECG electronically, and perform cleaning of the ECG machine. Retrieve and print patient EKGs from the CPRS and/or EKG database. Insert angiocaths into peripheral arm veins and obtain blood for laboratory tests according to policy and procedures. Performs venipunctures to obtain serum blood samples according to the ED and laboratory policy. The HT will label all specimens at the patients' bedside and send laboratory specimens per order according to policy. Performs Urinary catheter insertions and irrigations according to policy and procedure and discontinues catheters when ordered. Performs finger stick blood glucose testing and reports, and documents results in the medical record according to Laboratory/Medical Center policies and procedures. Work Schedule: 11:30AM - 12:00AM with weekend rotation Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Emergency Department-EMT)/PD11234A and PD08457A Physical Requirements: The Healthcare Technician role necessitates mobility throughout the ED and the medical center as required, which includes activities such as standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting moderately heavy items. The HT must be capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking and maneuvering equipment, wheelchairs, and patient stretchers. Proper lifting techniques and body mechanics must be consistently employed to prevent injury. Requirements Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve 1 year probationary period. During this period, 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must be a US citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required 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. 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-640-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-640-05 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. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade at any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For the GS-640-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-640-05. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-640-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Monitoring vital signs, performing preventative maintenance, transmitting ECG electronically and perform cleaning of the electrocardiogram (ECG) machine. Cleaning and maintenance will include all ED equipment along with assuring machines are in operational order and replenishing all necessary supplies. Retrieve and print patient EKGs from the CPRS and/or EKG database. Insert angiocaths into peripheral arm veins and obtain blood for laboratory tests according to policy and procedures. Discontinue IVs and saline locks. Document and report procedures interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. Follow specific guidelines to include detailed written descriptions of standard tests or treatment procedures along with both written and oral instructions. Transports equipment, and documents tests results, orders and storage of equipment and supplies. 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. Preferred Experience: Current EMT-P or EMT-B certification required, 1 year of EMT experience preferred, BLS/ACLS preferred. 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. Education There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. Additional Information 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.