Summary The position of Health Technician provides clinical and administrative support in a wide variety of patient care and related activities in an Inpatient Acute Care, 2W setting at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The purpose of this position is to be a productive team member carrying out a variety of technical functions including electrocardiograph, respiratory, nursing, laboratory, and miscellaneous administrative/ clerical duties. Responsibilities Major Duties: Obtaining and documenting patients' vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight, oxygen saturation, and postural vitals). Preparing patients for 12 lead ECGs using various @types of ECG machines. Observing changes in patient condition and reporting signs and symptoms to the professional nurse. Troubleshooting, cleaning, calibrating, and maintaining all electrocardiographs and other equipment to maintain a safe, clean work area. Collecting labs to include the identification process of using two identifiers, and ensuring labs are transported to the laboratory for processing. Performing venipuncture and arterial puncture to obtain serum blood samples as ordered according to policy and procedures. Insertion and removal of peripheral IV according to policy and procedures. Performing finger stick blood glucose testing and documenting/reporting results. Performing foley catheter insertions and irrigations, and discontinuing catheters as ordered. Moving, lifting, transferring, and transporting patients as necessary using proper equipment and correct transfer techniques. Preferred Experience: Med/Surg within last two years Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts: Day/Evening/Nights Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD03465A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 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 (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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/25/2025. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: a.) Knowledge of anatomy, first aid and basic patient care. Ability to establish rapport and interview patients to collect information and data about current health status and immediate needs. Able to communicate findings orally and in writing clearly and succinctly. Ability to work effectively with patients/families in crisis. b.) Knowledge of medical terminology, drug terminology, and equipment/ supply terminology, and skills sufficient to identify and use equipment and supplies properly. Ability to communicate proper use with nurses, medical staff, and family members. c.) An understanding of disease and illness and skill sufficient to teach patients. Provides instruction on self-care at home. Reinforces to patient and family members the importance of compliance with the prescribed plan of care. d.) Knowledge of electrocardiograph (ECGs, cardiac monitoring) and vital sign measurement equipment. Knowledge of the special applications of technical equipment, abnormal measurements and appropriate steps to initiate. e.) Working knowledge of priorities for inpatient care, medical terminology, and the operation/documentation of our EMR. 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 There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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 "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." Receiving Service Credit or 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. 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 qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
