Health Technician

Summary

The New Mexico VA Healthcare Network is recruiting a Health Technician. The Health Technician is located in Nursing Specialty Service, Nursing Specialty Clinic Section of the New Mexico VA Health Care System. The primary purpose of the position is to provide medical and administrative support assistance in the Nursing Specialty Clinics.

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Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provides support to the clinics by performing technical and administrative tasks.
• Technical tasks, such as EKGs, bladder ultrasounds, ear irrigation, specimen collection of urine/blood, vital signs including oxygen saturation and abdominal girths, height and weight measurements, peak flow, orthostatic blood pressure, visual acuity, CBGs and downloading glucometers, monofilament foot exams and influenza immunizations for both the PACT team and Annual Facility Influenza Clinic which covers both employees and veterans.
• Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures such as, EKG machines, CBG monitors, ABI dopplers, bladder scans, spirometers, vital sign monitors, etc.
• Operating guidelines to determine technical factors, sets controls, calibrates, and operates equipment and instruments such as EKG machine, CBG monitor, ABI doppler, bladder scan, and vital signs monitor. Incumbent sets up and adjusts any required accessory equipment for the
• aforementioned equipment and instruments.
• Adjusts equipment placement for patient's comfort if needed. Incumbent utilizes knowledge base, general instructions and guidelines to perform a
• variety of routine and difficult diagnostic tests and procedures such as CBG, orthostatic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, visual acuity, 12-lead EKG, ABI, PFT, bladder scan for post void residual and monofilament foot exams (diabetic patients), vital signs; documents aforementioned
• test results in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Graphic User Interface (GUI).
• Notifies health care professional of any abnormal or unusual results. Independently cleans exam rooms and re-stocks supplies as indicated by the needs of the patient or health care professional.
• Orders and maintains all supplies utilized in the clinic.
• Observes patient during procedures and identifies changes in patient condition; monitors patient for adverse reactions and takes corrective action based on established policy and knowledge base.
• Incumbent performs any prerequisite tests on patients prior to procedures and notifies health care professional of any abnormal results.
• Provides training to new clinic staff regarding equipment or instruments used.
• Provides assistance of a technical, specialized or support nature to health care professionals in the diagnosis or treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions.
• Supports health care professionals in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
• Collects and labels specimens (blood, urine, sputum, stool) for testing.
• Incumbent documents in CPRS GUI all procedures/treatments performed.
• Utilizes equipment to administer prescribed treatments such as ear irrigation.
• Provides oxygen therapy based on established guidelines; notifies health care professional of abnormal readings.
• Documents all specimens collected in CPRS GUI.
• Provides technical assistance utilizing established guidelines and under the immediate supervision of the health care professional to complete assignments related to preventative health care measures that are included in the External Peer Review Program (EPRP), Joint Commission
• on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), Medical Center Performance Improvement (PI) indicators and nationally established performance measure goals.
• These assignments include documenting in CPRS GUI patient education provided relating to preventative health care measures such as cancer screening, alcohol and tobacco use, diabetes care, COPD, depression screening, CHF, and advance directives. Documents patient information
• relating to pre-testing or post-procedure activities.
• Incumbent performs direct patient support to include gathering information from patients, providing personal patient care and patient education on home use of medical equipment such as glucometers, blood pressure monitors, peak flow meters, etc.
• Provides assistance to patients with bowel and/or bladder needs.
• Promotes physical independence of patient by encouraging and teaching patient self-care techniques and activities.
• Incumbent applies/adjusts immobilization devices to stabilize extremity.

Work Schedule: Rotating tour 8:00am- 4:30pm / 7:00am-3:30pm

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/ PD10189A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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
• 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 ( 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/23/2026.

This position has an I ndividual Occupation Requirement (IOR ). You must meet the following:

• Possess technician experience that requires application of knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. (This position is part of the series that range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists.)

In addition to meeting the IOR above, you must meet the experience as described below: GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade lever GS-05. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: setting up equipment for procedures; performing personal patient care; utilizing an automated system to maintain and retrieve patient data; assisting with patient test and procedures; and answering phones and directing phone calls to appropriate personal.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.