Summary The Health Technician (Emergency Department) is located within the Nursing, Acute Care service line at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center in Miami, FL. They maintain acceptable standards of practice under the direction of a Register Nurse, perform assignments independently, and report unusual, new, or abnormal findings to the nursing staff. The ED Health Technician demonstrates competence in handling emergencies using basic and advanced life support equipment and skills Responsibilities Duties included but not limited to: Assist RN to plan for continuing nursing care/follow up during ED visit. Respond to emergencies/resuscitations and perform under stress in a calm manner. Ability to perform 12 Lead EKG (left and right). Adhere to psychiatric intake process and provide care of psychiatric patients in the ED setting. Assumes responsibility for the immediate maintenance and cleanliness of the environment and equipment used in the care of patients in the ED without specific direction to do so . Take inventory of forms and supplies and assures the necessary forms and supplies are available when needed. Serves as receptionist, directs patients and visitors, answers telephone inquiries and makes necessary phone calls as needed. Knowledge of the basic scientific principles underlying nursing procedures (to intelligently and safely perform complex procedures). Knowledge and concepts of therapeutic and rehabilitative objectives (to help establish realistic treatment goals for the patient and to assist the patient to achieve these goals). Knowledge of difficult and complex technical clinical skills and techniques of care to administer safe, intelligent, and adept care to patients, including those severely disabled physically and/or emotionally. Perform routine work with minimal direction within the appropriate guidelines using interdependent judgment in recurring tasks and referring unusual problems or deviations to supervisor. Utilize prescribed documentation format to compile pertinent, meaningful, and accurate data in the patient's medical record. Plans and completes work in allotted time frames. Preferred Experience: Minimum 2 years of Emergency Department (ED) experience Work Schedule: 7:30 pm- 8:00 am, Shift includes weekends and holiday rotations.(Work schedule is determined and approved by the supervisor. You may be required to work various shifts based on facility/ patient care needs) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Emergency Department)/PD08479A 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 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, 09/14/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ability to file, @type, enter data, maintain records, take shorthand, and using and completing forms. Interviewing patients to collect information and data about current health status and the immediate need(s). Obtaining and documenting accurate information about patients, such as vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, actual weight, oxygen saturation and postural vital signs) performing 12 Lead EKGs and recognizing abnormalities and changes. Observing changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the RN, MD, NP or PA. Recognizes emergency situations and responds to them appropriately. Proficient in medical terminology, drug terminology, and equipment/supply terminology, and skills sufficient to identify and use equipment and supplies properly. Communicate and treat customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and proving customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. 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. 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/.
