Summary The Orlando VA Medical Center is seeking a Health Technician (Mental Health) to join our Nursing Service Mental Health Unit. This position provides technical, patient care, and administrative support for inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment units. The incumbent plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment while promoting recovery and dignity for Veterans. Responsibilities The Health Technician (Mental Health) provides technical, patient care, and administrative support to the Mental Health Unit. This position assists the interdisciplinary team in delivering behavioral health services for patients with psychiatric, substance abuse, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. The role includes direct patient care, diagnostic testing, safety monitoring, crisis intervention, and clerical support to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. The major duties include, but are not limited to: Assist the interdisciplinary team in caring for patients with psychiatric, substance abuse, PTSD, and other behavioral health conditions. Observe, collect, and document patient behavior, vital signs, and changes in condition; report findings to nursing staff. Perform diagnostic tests such as EKG, glucometer readings, urine drug screens, and breathalyzer tests; record and communicate results. Escort patients to appointments and therapeutic activities; maintain therapeutic boundaries and promote recovery. Conduct patient safety checks, contraband searches, and camera monitoring; perform one-to-one observation as needed. Identify and escalate suicide or self-harm risks; intervene in crises using PMDB techniques and assist with restraints/seclusion when required. Respond to emergencies (CPR, rapid response, disruptive behavior incidents, fires, disasters). Document patient care accurately in CPRS/EHR; maintain records from admission through discharge. Provide clerical support including scheduling, secure messaging, ROI forms, and supply management. Mentor and train new Health Technicians; participate in team meetings and patient groups. Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment; operate and maintain medical equipment (vital signs machines, AED, EKG) Work Schedule: Full-time; 12-hour day shift (07:00AM-7:30PM), rotating weekends and holidays , Flexible to meet the needs of the organization Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician- Mental Health/PD06911A 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, 05/07/2026. 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS- 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. 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. 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. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-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. Specialized experience includes: Providing patient care and support in behavioral health or mental health settings, including psychiatric or substance-abuse treatment units. Assisting with detoxification and recovery programs. Monitoring and documenting vital signs, observing changes in patient behavior or condition, and reporting findings to the clinical team. Applying Preventive Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) techniques. Performing diagnostic support tasks such as collecting and labeling specimens for laboratory analysis. Communicating effectively with patients and multidisciplinary health care teams. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level. You must have 6 months of graduate education or an internship where it is directly related to the work of the position. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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: Regular and recurring periods of standing and walking. Occasional bending, lifting (45 pounds or more), reaching, carrying, pushing, stooping, and stretching. Ability to assist in therapeutic application of physical restraints. Strength and stamina to perform duties, including sitting at a desk for extended periods and operating office equipment. Visual and auditory acuity for patient observation and communication. Ability to use telephones and keyboards for documentation and communication. 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. 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.
