Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing the appropriate medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
• The Health Technician performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care in the Specialty Care Clinics, including, but not limited to:
  • Vital signs and clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated
  • Check expiration dates of meds and supplies
  • Performs and reports to the appropriate medical/health care professionals a range of diagnostic support duties to include but not limited to Venipuncture, EKG, bladder scan, ear irrigations, wound care, accudata, doppler, pulse oximetry, weights, and other procedures requested by provider within the HTs scope of practice
  • Vaccine administration as authorized by facility and/or Directive and validated through competency assessment.
  • Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication.
  • Electronic record documentation, including documentation of procedures, vaccine administration, clinical information obtained during patient calls/visits, vital signs, clinical reminders, and other pertinent clinical information
  • Assists with procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary supplies and equipment, positioning patient, explaining procedure to patient, while ensuring comfort and privacy
  • Completion of tasks designated by policies/procedures/protocols and/or assigned by supervisor, including but not limited to: pending access lists, clinical reminders, and other assigned tasks/projects.
  • Rooms patients in a timely and efficient manner using correct patient identifiers
  • Keeps exam rooms stocked with appropriate equipment/supplies needed for patient care
  • Maintains BLS certification.
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance, and effectively performs supportive tasks as directed when appropriate.
• Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education, after initiated by provider or Registered Nurse, to include self-management, prevention, and wellness.
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members.
• Teaches patients and family members to necessity of continuing proper health care. Provides follow-up care instructions and demonstrations for patients. Counsels on health subjects including nutrition, care of minor injuries and illnesses, and home care.
• Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions.
• Incumbent possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical
  equipment.
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties.
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner, using evidence based principles.
• Promotes patient and personnel safety. Demonstrates competence utilization of Safe Patient Handing equipment.
• Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties based on the Specialty Clinic model while providing care to variable patient populations.
• Receives request or instructions for procedures. Interprets request or instructions for
  medical or health care personnel.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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).

Qualifications

NOTE: You MUST include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ for additional information on resume requirements.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

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.

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.