Summary These positions are at the full performance level, and located in the Emergency Department (ED) of the Medicine and Inpatient Health Care Group (HCG), VA Long Beach Healthcare System; reporting to the ED Nurse Manager. The Medicine and Inpatient HCG is an interdisciplinary team providing continuity of care for Veterans at VA Long Beach. The incumbent will provide non-professional technical assistance to licensed staff for the care of patients presenting with emergent health concerns. Responsibilities Health Technicians perform direct and indirect patient care activities per the veteran's care plan, consistent with VA Long Beach Healthcare System and Medicine HCG policies and procedures. Such activities include but are not limited to: Supports health and medical staff during diagnosis and treatment of patients. Explains procedures, positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate. Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment in support of diagnostic and treatment procedures. Determines technical factors, sets controls, and operates equipment and instruments. Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment such as, Golvo patient lift, Stirrups for female vaginal exams, lead placement for 12 lead EKG, etc. with multiple features that requires precise patient positioning to operate correctly. Uses a practical knowledge of the location and function of major body organs and structures in ED procedures. Recognizes deviations in patient's condition and takes appropriate action. Sets equipment parameters based on the patient's established diagnosis or specific and/or individualized testing criteria. Makes precise adjustments to clarify readings and measurements. Performs medical procedures under licensed staff such as venipuncture, removing IVs or removing needles, etc. Assists medical staff with patient care; assists with AOL's (activities of daily living), i.e., feeding, bathing, dressing, and toileting. Assists with a full range of complex procedures (basic EKGs, splinting/casting, setting up for l&D/suturing, assists with joint or limb reduction, etc.) using specialized equipment that required precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking and recording deviations in vital signs, reporting results to nurse, obtaining specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory. Provides follow-up care instructions and demonstration for patients (use of crutches, canes, etc.). Work Schedule: 7:30 pm - 8:00 am; workdays can vary. Multiple tours available; to be discussed at interview and determined on selection. Days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and off-tours may be required. Tour of duty is subject to change based on agency needs. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician- Emergency Department/10778A Physical Requirements: The work is sometimes sedentary but does require the ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and carry light items. The work requires above-average agility and dexterity to assist and maneuver patients safely in various stages of medical need. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients (specialized Golvo lift is available in the Emergency Department to assist with lifting and moving heavy patients, or a team approach is used for safety of the patient and staff). 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, 08/12/2026. 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 but is not limited to the following: Performing telemetry monitoring Obtaining, reading, measuring, and interpreting electrocardiogram (ECG) strips. Participating in telemetry monitoring and set up on Philips monitors, which includes setting individual patient parameters, and adjusting alarm settings; taking of vital signs; lead placement, and electrode care. Preferred Experience: Phlebotomy certification or eligible 3-5 years Emergency Care experience 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. 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. 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/.
