Health Technician-Emergency Department

The position of Health Technician (HCT) is established to provide support in a wide variety of basic and intermediate clinical and administrative level functions. This position is located in the Emergency Department, Nursing Service, Orlando VA Medical Center.

The HCT functions as a highly skilled member of the staff and provides clinical and administrative support for the delivery of acute and non acute direct patient care in the ED and support to families/visitors/employees as needed.

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Obtains and documents patients' vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, actual weight, oxygen saturation, postural vital signs and reports deviations in vital signs.
• Set-up and use electronic and manual vital sign measurement equipment, pulse oximetry, end-title CO2, and suctioning equipment and recognizes and promptly reports abnormal findings or values to the Physician and/or the RN.
• Obtains and interprets 12 lead EKGs after inputting accurate and required information and recognizes abnormalities and changes in ECG rhythm strips (e.g. premature ventricular contractions, tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular fibrillation, etc.) and takes appropriate action.
• Performs venipuncture to obtain serum blood samples as ordered according to VHA, Medical Center, ED, and Laboratory policy and procedures.
• Moves, lifts, transfers and transports patients as necessary using proper equipment and correct transfer techniques. Assists patients to ambulate and transfer safely.
• Verbally reports and/or documents in the medical record observations of and treatment given to the patient to ensure accurate records and quality of patient care, using standard nomenclature and approved forms.
• Sets up oxygen equipment and demonstrates ability to identify the correct delivery of oxygen.
• Observe, report, and record general and specific physical and behavioral signs/symptoms of change in a patient's condition.
• Greets and assists arriving patients/families/visitors/ambulances and directs them to the appropriate treatment area.
• Gathers pertinent data and information regarding presenting complaint from patients/family members and reports to the RN/Charge Nurse.
• Orders, maintains, and stocks supplies for the ED.
• Provides education material and directs patients to appropriate resources available within the Medical Center.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM, flexible to meet the needs of the service.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician-Emergency Department/PD07473A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirement: 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.

In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Interviewing patients to collect information and data about current health status and the immediate need(s).
  • Obtaining and documenting patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, actual weight, oxygen saturation and postural vital signs) performing 12 Lead EKGs and recognizing abnormalities and changes.
  • Observing changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the RN, MD, NP or PA. Recognizes emergency situations and responds to them appropriately.
  • Proficient in medical terminology, drug terminology, and equipment/supply terminology, and skills sufficient to identify and use equipment and supplies properly.
  • Communicate and treat customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and proving customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.

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/.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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 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 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.