Summary Manages routing and non-routine assignments while demonstrating proficiency autonomously. Enhances the quality and timeliness of clinical and clerical support services provided. Duties may encompass clerical support for various processes and activities within the Emergency Department (ED). Must possess the requisite personal attributes, enthusiasm, and mindset necessary to adapt effectively to a rapidly changing environment. Responsibilities 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: 7:30PM to 8AM, with weekend rotation or 7:30AM to 8PM, with weekend rotation Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Emergency Department (ED-EMT)/PD08457A and PD11234A 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. Preferred Experience: Preferred 1 year Emergency Department or Urgent Care hospital experience. Requirements Conditions of Employment Required: EMT/Paramedic Satisfactory pass EMT course with Current NREMT Certification. 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 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 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, 05/14/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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. 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. 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 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. 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/.
