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Personal Effects Worker

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

Provides both inpatient and outpatient medical care to Veterans at our main facility and access points. They carry out various requirements that impact Environmental Management Service and other services related to the Patient Assistance Program (PAP). The purpose of the position is to provide patient effects assistance. The work affects the accuracy and reliability of further processes. Incumbent is privy to confidential information and must maintain such confidentiality at all times.

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
$19.41 - $22.64 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 2
Promotion potential
None
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
No
Security clearance
Not Required
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
CBSR-13101718-27-HYC
Control number
890512700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

1st Area of Consideration - those eligible under CTAP and current permanent Facility & CBOC employees. 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees.

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Duties

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The duties of the Personal Effects Worker includes but is not limited to:
Patient Effects 80%

  • Responsible for the receiving and storing of supplies for indigent patients to facilitate convenience and ease of handling and protecting items from damage and pilferage. Verifies indigence status of patients prior to honoring requests for indigent supplies. After verification of indigent status, the incumbent is responsible for delivery of indigent supplies requested to the using unit in a timely fashion.
  • Responsible for making frequent rounds to the Admissions area and all nursing units for the purpose of collecting, inventorying, and returning to storage all patient personal items taken into custody during the previous tour of duty.
  • Responsible for the receipt, inventory, and placement into safe storage all patient valuables taken into custody during the previous tour of duty.
  • Items received for storage and safekeeping during a patient's stay at the medical center will be inventoried before being placed into storage.
  • Responsible for assembling and packing all personal effects and valuables of the deceased for release to the next of kin in accordance with existing medical center policy and procedure.
  • Responsible for marking patients' clothing with patients' names and building numbers for identification purposes with the use of a marking machine.
Treatment 20%
  • Preparing any clothing item needing to be laundered at the Consolidated Laundry facility
  • Utilize the bed bug oven to treat personal items or clothing and ensure the inventorying and storage of items before and after treatment.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Personal Effects Worker/PD920240
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 11/04/2026.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements.
Applicants must receive a minimum of two points on the below screen-out element to be deemed eligible for consideration.

  • Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision: Handling patient personal effects; Managing and or distributing basic patient supplies; and Maintains inventory records of patient property.

JOB ELEMENTS: The below job elements (skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics considered necessary for success on the job) are approved by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for individual occupations as well as for jobs having common requirements.

  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
  • Materials
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Technical Practices
  • Without more than normal supervision


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.

Note: 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.

Physical Requirements: Incumbent must have the physical capability to remain on his/her feet for long periods of time. They must be able to stoop, bend, push, pull, reach, and exercise normal body movements to perform the duties of the position. As well as having the physical strength and visual acuity to operate and control the equipment used in this activity. They must frequently lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds and of various sizes and shapes; may occasionally lift and move objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: The incumbent may be exposed to unpleasant odors, dirt, bacteria, etc., and may be subjected to contagious diseases when handling patients' effects. They must wear personal protective equipment, i.e., gowns, gloves, when handling patient effects for inventorying and marking. Incumbent usually works in a well heated, well lighted and well-ventilated building. They must be safety conscious at all times when performing the duties of this position. The incumbent follows safe work practices and procedures, including use of required personal protective equipment (PPE). Recognize and report unsafe or unhealthful conditions/practices to supervisory personnel. Report work-related injuries or illness to supervisory personnel.

NOTE: Your application will be verified against the information you provide on your resume, documents, and information supplied by your references. If you do not clearly describe your experience in your resume, you will be rated ineligible. We cannot make assumptions about your work experience and skills.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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 mission of VA Northern Indiana Health Care System is to provide coordinated, compassionate and comprehensive quality primary care, mental health services and extended care to veterans in a timely, accessible and cost-effective manner. The Fort Wayne Campus offers primary and secondary medical and surgical services. The Marion Campus offers a full range of psychiatry services, nursing home care, and extended care services. Primary care clinics are available at both campuses and at Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in South Bend, Goshen, Peru, Huntington, and Muncie, Indiana and Defiance, Ohio.

Agency contact information

Henry Chen
Phone
646-894-1169
Email
Henry.Chen1@va.gov
Address
Northern Indiana HCS
1700 East 38th Street
Marion, IN 46953
US

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