Summary The position is in the Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center (VAMC), in Nursing Service. The Health Technician (Urology) reports directly to the Nurse Manager in the Interventional Procedure Clinics aligned under Perioperative Nursing Service. This position is at a full performance level, assigned to the Urology Clinic. Responsibilities Duties Include, but are not limited to: Clinical Duties Rooms patients and takes and records vital signs to include height/weight and reports abnormalities to the Registered Nurse (RN) or Urology Provider. Observes and responds promptly to patients requiring immediate urologic examination and treatment within scope of practice and ensures prompt attention from the RN and/or Urology Provider. Performs room turnover between patients as per Infection Control guidelines and ensures supplies available for subsequent clinic appointment. Cystoscopy Suite Participates and performs proper patient identification and procedural site verification using universal protocol and time-out procedures per medical center policy. Performs screening and diagnostic studies including voiding trials, bladder ultrasound for post void urination (USPVR), and post void catheterization (PVR) in both males and females. Performs urinary catheterizations on patients ranging from young adult to geriatrics, to include changing suprapubic catheters. Instructs patients and family members in the performance of intermittent self catheterization, use of incontinence productions, and personal hygiene. Notifies RN and/or Urology Provider of issues/complications. Documents all patient education in patient medical record. Urodynamics Suite Performs medical record review for previous exams and other pertinent information prior to schedule exam using the proper screening protocol. Incumbent notifies RN of scheduling errors providing rationale. Interviews patients and reviews records prior to procedure to determine presence of allergies or contraindications and explains methods of procedures. Operate and Maintain Equipment Maintains, operates, and troubleshoots equipment for urological procedures (transrectal ultrasound for prostate biopsy, x-ray plain film imaging/c-arm, and complex urodynamics). Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunction. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations, i.e., frayed cords, water on the floor, and takes appropriate action by entering appropriate work order. Work Schedule: 8:00am- 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Urology)/PD01840A 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 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 identification 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, 07/31/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade of GS-08 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: assisting with clinical workflow; receive and prepare patients for urological procedures/examinations; maintain records; assisting with collection, handling, and transport of specimens; assisting medical staff with performing diagnostic procedures; selecting the correct instruments for a procedure, passing medical instruments and materials to medical/health professionals for a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures; assisting with health care procedures (such as prostatic/dermal biopsies, cystoscopy, prostate ultrasound, and urodynamics and any other clinical procedure required); operation of c-arm for fluoroscopy procedures/examinations; advance knowledge of medical terminology, providing clerical and administrative support; pre-treatment, transportation, and storage of Reusable Medical Equipment/Devices (RME/D); notifying physician of test results. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond undergraduate level education. NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience requirement only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. 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: 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.. 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 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/.
