The Salt Lake City VA Medical Center is looking for a Health Technician for the Acute Medicine Unit. Incumbent reports to the Nurse Manager & function as a member of the nursing care team & assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients on the Acute Medicine, 3 West or Float Pool Unit. The Health Technician assists acute medicine licensed staff to perform a wide range of patient care, diagnostic services, treatment, monitoring activities of daily living (ADL's) & charting for the unit.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/17/2025. Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640 Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. OR, Education and Training For GS-3: Successful completion of l year of study that included study in medical, health, or related fields. For GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position. For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. In ADDITION to meeting the IOR Requirement the Health Technician 0640 Series requires Specialized Experience to be met as well. Specialized Experience GS-06: 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 medical terminology for the human body, physical and emotional reactions, nursing care, and skill sufficient to provide and gather information in patient care/family conferences and communicate effectively with the healthcare team. Practical knowledge of major body systems to perform patient examination and to provide prompt and efficient patient care and appropriate patient handling. Thorough knowledge of regulations pertaining to the appropriate release of information from patient records. Knowledge and skill sufficient to change sterile and non-sterile dressing and to maintain the sterile conditions of medical supplies. Working knowledge of diagnostic signs, e.g. pulse, respiration , blood pressure, temperature, skin color, pupils of the eyes, state of consciousness, ability to move on command, reaction to pain etc. Specialized Experience GS-07: You must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 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 medical terminology for the human body, physical and emotional reactions, nursing care, and skill sufficient to provide and gather information in patient care/family conferences and communicate effectively with the healthcare team. Practical knowledge of major body systems to perform patient examination and to provide prompt and efficient patient care and appropriate patient handling. Thorough knowledge of regulations pertaining to the appropriate release of information from patient records. Knowledge and skill sufficient to change sterile and non-sterile dressing and to maintain the sterile conditions of medical supplies. Working knowledge of diagnostic signs, e.g. pulse, respiration , blood pressure, temperature, skin color, pupils of the eyes, state of consciousness, ability to move on command, reaction to pain etc. Knowledge of medications sufficient to properly administer drugs even when direct to do so by licensed staff. Knowledge of proper dosages required in keeping with method of administration. Knowledge of equipment terminology; familiarity with drug terminology; and supply terminology and skills that are sufficient to identify and use equipment, drugs, and supplies properly, and to communicate proper use. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06/GS-07 level. 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. 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/. 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.
Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit and treatment team, obtaining vital signs and weight and checking patients and their belongings for hazardous items. Obtain patient vital signs, document in the EHR, and report any vitals outside of normal range to licensed staff member. Observations and interventions. Examples: oxygen therapy, thermal regulation, ambulation, oral care, and assist with ADL's. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures such as removing peripheral IV's, electrocardiograms, bladders scan, and finger-sticks for glucose determination. Operates specialized equipment such as defibrillators, electrocardiographs, bladder scans, electrocardiographic monitors, and oxygen apparatus according to training/competencies and national/local policy. Specimen collections and Preparation such as collecting and labeling urine, stool, and mucous specimens. Patient transport such as transporting patients with cardiac monitor or assisting licensed staff with patients on cardiac monitoring, chest tube, or other complex medical support devices to and from diagnostic tests or between hospital units. Delivery of meals and/or snacks and assists with eating as needed. Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding and assisting patients as needed in activities of daily living. Applies non-sterile hot/cold compresses, packs, and soaks and utilizes equipment that provides heating or cooling as directed by provider. Assists in behavioral/psychiatric situations within the acute care setting. This can include assisting licensed personnel with crisis intervention, assisting with observation and documentation of aggressive or suicidal psychiatric patients by providing one-to-one observations and applying Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) techniques. Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks. Demonstrates acceptable behavior as a role model for patient behavior. Encourages patient and family to actively participate in the individualized treatment plan. Encourages positive patient-family relationships. Teaches patients and family members the necessity of continuing proper health care. Provides general clerical administrative support coordination work for the unit. Maintains patient records/charts. Other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Varies; Dependent on Service Line Needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD12976A and PD12975A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized