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Patient Care Technician

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Clinical Center, Nursing Department (CCND)

Summary

These positions are located at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Join the Clinical Center Nursing Department (CCND). The Clinical Center is a 200-bed Magnet with Distinction Research Hospital and ambulatory care facility. We have positions in various units.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/04/2026 to 05/08/2026
Salary
$57,736 - $75,059 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
8
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
NIH-CC-DE-26-12903283
Control number
867630300

Duties

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As a Patient Care Technician, you will:

  • Obtains and records vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, height, and weight, and reports abnormal findings to the professional nurse.
  • Performs point-of-care tests such as glucose monitoring and urine specific gravity. Assists professional providers in performing diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures.
  • Assist patients or other health care team members with prescribed interventions, such as ambulating, therapeutic exercises, and dressing changes.
  • Reinforces instructions to patients in the techniques of various self-administered treatments such as aerosol therapy, postural drainage, intermittent positive breathing exercises, etc., and documents the activities performed.
  • Performs collection of specimens, such as sputum or urine, for research or clinical care.
  • Ensures the safe handling and delivery of various specimens in accordance with prescribed protocols.
  • May perform phlebotomy, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and other procedures after completing appropriate training and/or certification.
  • Uses a variety of patient care equipment, such as automated blood pressure devices and patient transport devices.
  • Interprets and relates policies and procedures to patients and their families when necessary and upon request
  • Effectively manage work with tight deadlines, agitated patients, and hospital emergencies.
The ideal candidate will have one year of clinical experience in an outpatient, urgent care, emergency department, or acute care (hospital preferred). Certified Nursing Assistant is preferred.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • Pre-employment Medical Examination is required.
  • Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift and move items weighing up to 35 lbs.
  • The shifts may be 12-hour, 10-hour, or 8-hour, or a combination of these, depending on the unit or clinical area. Some specialty areas may also require on-call duties.
  • The positions may require a work schedule that includes days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • This position has been designated as a Tier I emergency employee. See Additional Information section for specific details on this designation.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Patient Care Technician, GS-0640 at the GS-07 level, you must have:

A. Completed 1 full year of progressively higher-level graduate education. This degree major must have been in a field of study with coursework directly related to the work of the position to be filled; OR

B. You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level in the Federal Service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: obtaining and recording vital signs; performing point-of-care testing; assisting providers with diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures; collecting and handling clinical specimens; assisting patients with prescribed interventions; using patient care equipment; and explaining policies or procedures to patients and families; OR

C. A combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12903283

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position has been designated as a Tier I emergency employee. The incumbent may be required to report to work during emergencies, weather closures, or other situations requiring continuity of operations.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
  • 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 here: https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information.
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
  • If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses to the assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

How You Will Be Evaluated
To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 80 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E
Email
ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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