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Health Technician (Podiatry)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare Administration

Summary

The Health Technician (Podiatry) receives guidelines and privileges from the Surgical Service in general, and specifically from the Podiatry Section Chief, for daily work, both in supervised and unsupervised activities. The duties are varied and complex, consisting of performing functions normally completed by LPNs, surgical scrub nurses/techs, laboratory technicians, etc.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/01/2026 to 05/11/2026
Salary
$45,409 - $59,031 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Biloxi, MS
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CBST-12943801-26-CG
Control number
867619800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

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Duties

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  • Receives requests or instructions for precedes. Interprets requests or instructions for medical or
    health care personnel.
  • Secures patient's confidence and cooperation during procedures. Provides patient care that is
    appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or
    geriatric patient.
  • Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments. Selects
    and sets technical factors for invasive procedures.
  • Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures,
    supports medical and health care professionals in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
  • Performs the full range of complex procedures and examinations for which instructions have not
    been standardized.
  • Explains procedures. positions patients for desired results and cushions and shields patients as
    appropriate. Varies procedure or position to adjust to patients' medical condition.
  • The incumbent is responsible for the planning, direction, and coordination of the administrative
    activities of the podiatry section to relieve the professional staff from such matters.
  • Maintains and assembles patient records.
  • Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries, and makes referrals.
  • Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Identifies and reports data
    relative to more complex.
  • Teaches patients and family members the necessity of continuing proper health care.
  • Performs administrative tasks such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and
    documenting measurements taken.
  • Performs patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying dressings. and
    adjusting simple supportive equipment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Podiatry)/PD03623A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.

Physical Demands: This is a mentally and physically demanding position. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Work with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and similar activities. Uses principles of body mechanics and obtains assistance when needed. Uses protective measures and techniques in managing disturbed behavior. This position also requires patient lifting and positioning patents for podiatry treatment.

Requirements

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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, 05/11/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

Applicants must also meet the experience requirements relevant to this position. For this Health Technician, GS-06 position: To qualify at the GS-06 grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher. Specialized Experience to include, but not limited to:

  • Conducts hands-on experience in clinical settings, assisting with patient assessments, wound care, and minor surgical procedures.
  • Independently manages patients and supplies, while ensuring a clean and organized clinical environment.
  • Experience maintaining accurate medical records and clerical skills in a clinical environment.
  • Works with computer systems to include sending and retrieving email in Outlook;
  • Utilizes medical terminology
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.

Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary. It does require some physical exertion, such as standing for long periods of time, recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as supplies and equipment for special programs. Considerable walking is involved. Must be able to work effectively under pressure of numerous interruptions on a variety of subjects.

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

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/.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Attention to Detail
  • Infection Control
  • Medical Information
  • Patient Care
  • Technical Competence


USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a great place to live and work! You'll find picturesque, white-sand beaches lining the Gulf of Mexico, exciting, fun-filled outdoor activities to include boating, fishing and championship golf courses, taste-tantalizing cuisine, plentiful shopping, and must-see cultural attractions. Mississippi's Gulf Coast also features unlimited stakes gaming, top-name entertainment, and spectacular stage shows you won't want to miss. With a unique combination of attractions that will please everyone, Mississippi's Gulf Coast is undoubtedly "the" place to live and work!

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

Agency contact information

Courtney Gates
Phone
803-556-0826
Email
courtney.gates@va.gov
Address
Biloxi VA Medical Center
400 Veterans Avenue
Biloxi, MS 39531
US

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