Health Technician (Emergency Department)

Summary Health Technician providing clinical and administrative support in an emergency department. Performs vital signs, ECGs, cardiac monitoring, venipuncture, IV insertion, and specimen collection; assists with procedures and emergency response including CPR; observes and reports patient condition changes; ensures infection control; documents in electronic records; transports patients; maintains equipment and supplies; and supports patient flow and communication. Learn more about this agency Duties Obtains and documents vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight, and oxygen saturation Moves, lifts, transfers, and transports patients using proper techniques Follows infection control procedures and maintains a safe clinical environment Assists with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency response Performs peripheral IV insertion and removal, and collects blood specimens Performs electrocardiograms (ECGs) Performs Foley catheter insertion and care Recognizes and reports ECG abnormalities Answers phones and places calls as needed Greets patients and directs them to appropriate care areas Maintains and updates the EDIS communication/patient tracking board Communicates with leadership regarding supply and equipment needs Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, including holidays and weekends Telework: This position may be authorized for telework, ad-hoc only, as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Emergency Department)/PD671-3381-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-35 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-35 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling, 1 hour; Pushing, 1-3 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, 4 hours; Standing 2-7 hours; Kneeling, 2 hours; Repeated bending, 2 hours; Climbing; Use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Visual acuity: 20/40 DVA, corrected; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing aid (permitted); Sitting, 8 hours; Simple grasping, 2-4 hours; Fine manipulation, including keyboarding, 4-6 hours; Twisting, 2 hours; Mental and emotional stability. 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 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, 04/07/2026. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Independently obtaining and documenting vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight, oxygen saturation) and recognizing and reporting abnormal findings; preparing patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures, including performing 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs), initiating cardiac monitoring, and recognizing abnormal ECG results; collecting laboratory specimens, performing venipuncture and blood glucose testing; initiating and removing peripheral IVs and assisting with urinary catheterization; assisting providers with clinical and emergency procedures, including initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); observing, prioritizing, and reporting changes in patient condition; safely moving, lifting, transferring, and transporting patients; adhering to infection control standards and maintaining a safe clinical environment; cleaning, maintaining, and troubleshooting medical equipment; documenting care and observations in electronic medical records; assisting with patient admissions, discharges, and flow coordination; communicating effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary staff in fast-paced settings; safeguarding patient information; maintaining supplies and coordinating with leadership regarding equipment needs; and performing administrative support duties including answering phones, directing patients, and updating patient tracking systems. 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/. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.