Health Technician
What you'd do
The position is in the Environmental and Employee Occupational Health section, working under the (PIMS) Physical Integrated Medical Service at the RHJVA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. The Health Technician (HT) must ensure compliance with VA regulations, Joint Commission standards, and other regulatory agencies. The HT accepts and supports the guiding principles of this Medical Center.
Major duties
The incumbent performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving both veterans and Employees. Actively supports the team concept and functions as a team player. Contributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the teams and/or clinics. An inherent part of this position is the intention and flexibility to provide coverage when there are planned or unexpected absences at the Medical Center. The Health Technician provides support in a wide variety of basic clinical and intermediate level administrative activities for both Environmental Exams (PACT Act) and Employee Occupational Health. This includes planning, managing, educating, and coordinating needs for both Registry Exams and Employee Occupational Health walk-ins, yearly lab work, and pre-employment exams by determining and placing orders for the required tests and lab work needed. They will provide diagnostic support such as taking vitals and recording results. Uses CPRS, VISTA, VISTA GUI, and OHRS to enter orders and document the outcomes. Assembles employee records and files individual documents or information in records. The incumbent will review schedules for the day and set up exam rooms and prepare for diagnostic, lab work, and required tests for the day. The Health Technician will introduce themselves and secure the veterans/employee's confidence and cooperation during required tests, lab work, and exams. Employee Occupational Health (EOH) provides services to employees as walk-ins for a wide variety of reasons. Working under the direct supervision of the EOH RN, they will gather the needed information to provide to the EOH Physician of the day. Responsible for carrying out a variety of administrative, diagnostic, laboratory, and electrocardiogram (EKG) duties in support of patient examinations in the service. Assures that the provider is aware of clinic schedules and coordinates with team members for patients to be seen in a timely manner. Assures maximum utilization of available provider appointment times. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD10899A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/03/2026. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience. One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical assistant (or technician) or health technician. Or Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. Or Experience/Education Combination. An equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level, for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. A candidate will not be appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Individual Occupation 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 requires the application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. AND, In addition to the above requirements, in order to qualify for this position at the GS-6 level, you must meet one of the following minimum qualifications: 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: Skill and precision in using phlebotomy needles, tools, materials, and equipment; Performing diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting vital sign deviations to provider; Obtaining specimens and labeling specimens for the laboratory; making gross visual observations and identifying subtle changes regarding patient's condition, documenting observations and communicating to practitioners; Using hot and cold packs, changing sterile dressings, caring for patients and giving treatments that require auxiliary equipment; Performing a variety of specialized tests and procedures such as monofilament testing, and doppler exam of the extremity artery, Gathering diagnostic information using specialized equipment such as pulse oximetry, bladder scanner and ECG Machine. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: 6 months of graduate education (usually 9 semester hours) that is directly related to the work of this position. One full year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts required. OR, Combination: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Transcripts required, and experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. 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. 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/.
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