Health Technician (Dermatology)

The primary purpose of this position is to deliver safe patient care as well as administrative support to Dermatology specialty service. Through guidance of the Chief, the incumbent works with the specialty service to provide phototherapy treatment to patients with many skin conditions.

This position functions as a Dermatology Health Technician assigned to Nursing, Ambulatory Care Departmentt in the Dermatology service at the Miami, Florida VA. The position provides support to the physicians and physician assistants in the dermatology service ensuring the practice operates efficiently and cost effectively. The incumbent provides patient care and patient communication as directed by the provider and or clinical supervisor. The incumbent also serves as a liaison between provider and patient, adhering to national patient safety goals as appropriate based on the level of patient contact. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinates and performs all duties and procedures associated with the operation of the dermatology phototherapy unit, at the Miami VA Healthcare System.
• Receives and interprets physician orders for phototherapy, screens patient to verify eligibility criteria (medical history, presenting complaints, current medications, skin type, allergies, contraindications, social/emotional factors, educational level).
• Assesses the patient's learning needs and his/her ability to be taught; Explains treatment thoroughly in terms that the patient understands by discussing, patients diagnosis, type of ultraviolet light (UVA or UVB), treatment scheduled, expected outcome, potential side effects, safety measures, and treatment options.
• In the absence of the R.N., prepares minor surgery room assuring that supplies and sterile equipment is available at all times.
• Assures that all safety related policies and procedures are up-to-date and conform to current regulations (e.g., CAP, FDA, JCAHO, VA, and DOT).
• Reports any deficiencies to the Registered Nurse or Provider and implements correction of unsafe conditions.
• Routinely checks units for proper functioning and compares internal dosimeter with external meters.
• Utilizes appropriate templates to document; Documents all treatments, education, and/or abnormal findings and notifies the physician immediately of abnormal findings.
• Reviews pre-requisites laboratory and ophthalmology test results after reviewing the within normal range determined by the Dermatology Physician, and ensures that these test are followed up by the patients yearly; Reports abnormal findings to physician or Registered Nurse (RN).
• Performs a MED (minimal erythema dose) test as ordered by the physician.
• Determines the proper starting dose of UVL (according to orders/protocols/guidelines) after fully gathering information from the patient, works-up a treatment protocol with the assistance of the physician and establishes realistic goals with the patient.

Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Dermatology)/PD546-085150
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirement: This position's duties range widely in type and include support duties to medical and health personnel. You must have technician experience which is experience that requires application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the Surgical Technician position to be filled. The position to be filled is for a Dermatology Technician. Therefore experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of a Dermatology Health Professional is REQUIRED.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education 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: basic knowledge of the anatomy of the skin and knowledge of routine skin and wound care. Knowledge of Medical Terminology as related to skin disorders and wound care. Skill in performing basic health screening. Customer service in a clinical setting. Knowledge of Fitzpatrick scale., knowledge on the theory and principles of sterile technique in caring for skin conditions and wounds. Knowledge of the basic setup for dermatologic procedures. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a successful completion of at least One half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field directly related to the work of the position to be filled. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of collecting vital signs, minor surgery room set-up and post-up wound care follow-up.
• One year of outpatient clinic experience.
• Experience in photo-therapy UVA light administration.
• 1 year of Experience in Dermatology as a Health Technician.

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.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.