Health Technician

Full Job Description

The physical location of the position is in the Emergency Department, Richard L. Roudebush VAMC.

The overall purpose of the position is to assist and serve medical providers and nursing staff in the Emergency Department in collecting and performing a variety of tasks related to diagnostics and procedures within their scope of practice, as well as the completion of clerical and administrative duties.

This position is designed to fully support all Emergency Department function. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/22/2026.

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.

You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of an extensive body of rules, policies, procedures, and measures of the Emergency Department that requires extended training and experience to perform a wide variety of interrelated or nonstandard assignments and resolve a wide range of problems.

Thorough knowledge of the variations in anatomy. Thorough knowledge of Emergency Department materials and skill in their use.

Skill and precision in use of the tools (peak flow meter, glucometer, incentive spirometry, Breathalyzer, urinary catheterization, phlebotomy including blood cultures), material and equipment used in the Emergency Department including the EKG.

Knowledge of what type of specimen requires special handling such as special tubes, prompts processing, and placed on ice. Skill in performing CPR/ BLS to assist staff.

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, EDIS Tracking system, Coding.

NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position.

Please provide a transcript if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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/.

Physical Demands: The work is primarily physically active and requires extensive and prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, sitting, and carrying of items, and involves pushing and pulling of wheelchairs/stretchers/mobile equipment.

The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment, supplies and/or patients in conjunction with patient lifting resources as available.

The work requires the ability to multitask while performing administrative, clerical and clinical duties.

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/.

Major Duties:

The duties of the position may include but are not limited to the following: Major Duties: Administrative - Handles Clerical/ Administrative Support and Coordination Requirements: Provides general clerical/administrative support coordination work for the unit.

Manages administrative functions.

Utilizes and maintains the EDIS for admission, updating patient / assigned staff status and disposition of all Veterans within the Emergency Department, is proficient in Microsoft word and excel and is proficient in encounter coding.

Receives telephone calls and visitors to the Emergency Department. Coordinates and arranges scheduling needs for patients to continue the plan of care.

Establishes /maintains Emergency Department files/record systems. Gathers and complies statistics for necessary reports.

Completes and enters encounter information ensuring coding is correct and completed for reimbursement purposes. Coordinates fee basis services referral and referrals to other facilities.

Organizes and maintains a monitoring system for recommended programs.

Participates in planning and development recommendations for changing program policies and procedures that will improve delivery of services and patient flow.

Represents Emergency Department Health Techs at team meetings. Maintains Patient Records: Scans individual documents or information appropriately into patients' electronic record.

As part of quality assurance, reviews records for completeness. Identifies problems or potential barriers with patient flow, administrative or process issues.

Facilitates process analysis to alleviate problems.

Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care, and educating patients on pre and post interventional activities.

Receives and Direct Patients: Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquires and makes referrals as appropriate.

Assists patients in contacting volunteer, social or chaplain services as appropriate.

Receives and responds to a number of unclear inquiries from patients concerning a variety of medical, personnel, and administrative matters.

Determines nature of inquiry and independently responds to all administrative questions. Furnishes information for insurance claims and prepares statements of treatment or stays. Obtains release forms.

Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance.

Performs interventions associated with verbal de-escalation, self-defense, and therapeutic containment as it relates to the prevention and management of disruptive behavior.

Collects, Collaborates, and Maintains Quality Assurance or Performance Improvement Records: Performs administrative tasks such as collecting, collating, and maintaining OA/ Pl records.

Responds to inquiries from patients, family members and caregivers. Coordinates activities of unit with healthcare support services through the organization.

Collects and organizes statistical data for regular and one­time reports.

Clinical care - Receives/Interprets Requests for Procedures: Receives orders or instructions for interventions/procedures and/or set up for interventions/procedures.

Interprets requests or instructions and completes administrative processes required for action in collaboration with medical and nursing personnel.

Receives and completes assignments for a variety of complex tasks. Health Technician interprets and carries out the requests and/or instructions within scope of practice.

Secures Patients' Confidence/Cooperation: Secures patients' confidence and cooperation during care/interventions.

Explains procedures, positions individuals for desired results, cushions, and shields patients as appropriate and sets up for simple interventions.

Varies procedures/clinical activities to adjust to patients' medical condition. Explains interventions/procedures and positions patients for a variety of difficult invasive and diagnostic procedures.

Answers patients' questions related to scope of practice actions during procedures/interventions, operates, cleans, and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Work Schedule: 0730AM-2000PM. Compressed/Flexible:

12 hours shifts &

8 hour shift, 80 hours per pay period. Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD91992-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized