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Health Technician (Dermatology)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration-Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to deliver safe patient care as well as administrative support to Dermatology specialty service. Through guidance of the Chief, the incumbent works with the specialty service to provide phototherapy treatment to patients with many skin conditions.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$48,361 - $62,869 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Promotion potential
6
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBTC-13099132-27-JML
Control number
890125700

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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This position functions as a Dermatology Health Technician assigned to Nursing, Ambulatory Care Departmentt in the Dermatology service at the Miami, Florida VA. The position provides support to the physicians and physician assistants in the dermatology service ensuring the practice operates efficiently and cost effectively. The incumbent provides patient care and patient communication as directed by the provider and or clinical supervisor. The incumbent also serves as a liaison between provider and patient, adhering to national patient safety goals as appropriate based on the level of patient contact. Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Coordinates and performs all duties and procedures associated with the operation of the dermatology phototherapy unit, at the Miami VA Healthcare System.
  • Receives and interprets physician orders for phototherapy, screens patient to verify eligibility criteria (medical history, presenting complaints, current medications, skin type, allergies, contraindications, social/emotional factors, educational level).
  • Assesses the patient's learning needs and his/her ability to be taught; Explains treatment thoroughly in terms that the patient understands by discussing, patients diagnosis, type of ultraviolet light (UVA or UVB), treatment scheduled, expected outcome, potential side effects, safety measures, and treatment options.
  • In the absence of the R.N., prepares minor surgery room assuring that supplies and sterile equipment is available at all times.
  • Assures that all safety related policies and procedures are up-to-date and conform to current regulations (e.g., CAP, FDA, JCAHO, VA, and DOT).
  • Reports any deficiencies to the Registered Nurse or Provider and implements correction of unsafe conditions.
  • Routinely checks units for proper functioning and compares internal dosimeter with external meters.
  • Utilizes appropriate templates to document; Documents all treatments, education, and/or abnormal findings and notifies the physician immediately of abnormal findings.
  • Reviews pre-requisites laboratory and ophthalmology test results after reviewing the within normal range determined by the Dermatology Physician, and ensures that these test are followed up by the patients yearly; Reports abnormal findings to physician or Registered Nurse (RN).
  • Performs a MED (minimal erythema dose) test as ordered by the physician.
  • Determines the proper starting dose of UVL (according to orders/protocols/guidelines) after fully gathering information from the patient, works-up a treatment protocol with the assistance of the physician and establishes realistic goals with the patient.
Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Dermatology)/PD546-085150
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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, 11/02/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirement: This position's duties range widely in type and include support duties to medical and health personnel. You must have technician experience which is experience that requires application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the Surgical Technician position to be filled. The position to be filled is for a Dermatology Technician. Therefore experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of a Dermatology Health Professional is REQUIRED.

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: basic knowledge of the anatomy of the skin and knowledge of routine skin and wound care. Knowledge of Medical Terminology as related to skin disorders and wound care. Skill in performing basic health screening. Customer service in a clinical setting. Knowledge of Fitzpatrick scale., knowledge on the theory and principles of sterile technique in caring for skin conditions and wounds. Knowledge of the basic setup for dermatologic procedures. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a successful completion of at least One half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field directly related to the work of the position to be filled. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.
To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Preferred Experience:
  • Knowledge of collecting vital signs, minor surgery room set-up and post-up wound care follow-up.
  • One year of outpatient clinic experience.
  • Experience in photo-therapy UVA light administration.
  • 1 year of Experience in Dermatology as a Health Technician.
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.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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
  • Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teaches Others
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence
  • 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?

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

Agency contact information

Janice Lord
Phone
(727) 398-6661 X64230
Email
Janice.Lord@va.gov
Address
Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
1201 Northwest 16th Street
Miami, FL 33125
US

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