The positions are located at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta. GA in Spinal Cord Injury Service inpatient (4) and outpatient (1) clinics. The Health Technician serves as an integral member of the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) team for the treatment and care of spinal cord injured patients. The Spinal Cord Injury Service is an extremely specialized patient care area requiring depth and effectiveness in applying the technicians undivided attention, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/17/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05: Specialized Experience: To qualify for GS-5, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Practical knowledge and skill of therapeutic, rehabilitative and preventative care for patients in various stages of dependency. Knowledge and skill of basic nursing practices sufficient to resolve a range of problems with responsibility for carrying out assignments to completion. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 60 semester hours. GS-06: Specialized Experience: To qualify for GS-6, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Advanced knowledge of spinal cord injury in the following areas is required to participate in the multidisciplinary team provision of healthcare and to provide proper and accurate education programs to patient and family. Knowledge of and skill to implement aseptic technique as indicated: knowledge of infectious disease guidelines relevant to his/her duties to prevent the introduction of or cross-contamination with pathogens; knowledge of and skill in applying proper body mechanics to avoid injury to self or others. Preferred Experience: Experience working with paraplegics and quadriplegics; Two years experience as a Health Technician or Certified Nurse Assistant; Experience with drawing labs; Experience working within an interdisciplinary team; Strong communication skills. 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: The incumbent must be able to stand. walk, bend. stoop, bend over freely. Positioning and lifting patients requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Occasionally. the employee prevents the patient from performing destructive acts against self. others or property. Manual dexterity is mandatory; may be required to lift weights up to 60 pounds utilizing good body mechanics and appropriate equipment. 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 include but are not limited to: Inpatient Duties: Operates, sets up and positions patient on specialized equipment for treatment. i.e. immobilizers. bowel chairs, wheel chairs, shower trolleys. Removes surgical dressings. redresses wounds using approved sterile technique and with direction. applies special bandages and dressings. Obtains wound cultures if indicated. Removes and replaces supra pubic catheters and Foley catheters. Conducts continuing bedside/unit rehabilitative exercise programs. i.e. bed lying exercises. gradual bed sitting to wheelchair exercises, and range of motion. Carries out bowel care procedures for patients with neurogenic bowel. Makes critical observations and arrives at conclusions regarding the bowel evacuation program for each patient. Administers proper suppository for each patient; is alert to symptoms of paralytic ileus; instructs each patient in the performance and maintenance of a bowel elimination program. Catheterizes and irrigates a non-sensory bladder and applies/inserts catheter as ordered. Outpatient Duties: Provides education and training to patients and/or caregivers on bowel and bladder management techniques. Performs bladder catheterization and irrigation procedures in accordance with provider orders. Removes and replaces suprapubic and Foley catheters as directed. Conducts dressing changes utilizing approved clean or sterile techniques. Demonstrates proficiency in laboratory blood specimen collection. Performs diagnostic procedures such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and bladder scans; operates various clinical equipment including vein finders, Sara Stedy devices, patient slings, ceiling lifts, and multiple wheelchair types. Accurately obtains and records vital signs, including blood pressure, temperature, and pulse oximetry. Ensures timely turnover of examination rooms, including bed preparation and decluttering. Maintains effective communication with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members. Reports directly to the charge nurse and collaborates closely with the nursing team. Assists with patient transport throughout the medical facility. Monitors and replenishes medical supplies in examination rooms to ensure readiness and efficiency. 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 Schedules (Inpatient): Various tours available. Day shift: 7:00am - 3:30pm or 7:00am - 7:30pm with rotating evening shift 3:00pm - 11:30pm, weekends, and holidays Night shift: 7:00pm - 7:30am or 11:00pm - 7:30am with rotating evening shift 3:00pm - 11:30pm, weekends, and holidays (Outpatient): Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Spinal Cord Injury)/PD14016A and PD14015A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized **The duty location is at the VA Augusta Health Care System, Downtown Division, Spinal Cord Injury Service (SCIS).