Job Details

Health Technician

Summary: This position is aligned under the Portland VA Medical Center, Primary Care Division, Clinics and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). This position may be located at any of the following: Bend CBOC, East Portland CBOC, Hillsboro CBOC, Newport Outreach Clinic, North Coast CBOC, Portland Clinic, Salem CBOC, The Dalles Outreach Clinic, West Linn CBOC, Women's clinic, Portland Resident Clinic or Vancouver Clinic (WA).

Responsibilities: Major duties include but are not limited to; Assists medical and nursing providers when performing medical & diagnostic examinations by assisting with duties such as monitoring vital signs, collecting biometrics, preparing and positioning the patient, completing the history and reminders, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests. Takes and records measurements and vital signs. Reports deviations in vital signs and/or weight to the LPN/RN/MD. Measures and records height. Completes Health Promotion activities and asks reason for visit. Obtains and labels specimens to include clean catch urine specimens or sterile specimens. Draws and labels, and packages specimens for the laboratory. Transports specimens to the laboratory and calls the laboratory for reports. Reports/records results for the provider as appropriate. Performs routine diagnostic tests such as venipuncture, bladder scan, ultrasound, glucometer, pregnancy testing, urinary tract infection testing and electrocardiograms, as directed by the physician or professional nurse, for the purpose of diagnostic testing. He/she then calibrates and transmits data via electronic records. Assists the physician in a variety of diagnostic examinations and must be able to receive instructions for difficult exams such as lumbar puncture, biopsies, colposcopies, LEEPs, intrauterine device placements, and pap smears. Positions patient according to specific instructions from surgeon or primary care physician, drapes patient, preps and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features, and passes instruments. Takes tissue cultures or specimen samples from difficult specialized procedures. Answers patient's questions during procedures. Chaperone and comfort patients receiving gender specific examinations, including those that received Military Sexual Trauma. He/she possesses knowledge of surgical instruments in this clinical setting such as dilators, tenaculums, kevorkians, loops and balls, forceps and assists doctors with size selections. He/she possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment. Makes precise adjustments to clarify readings and measurements and reports observations of the clinic patient regarding mobility, nutrition, pain/ comfort level, chief complaint, etc. Performs patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying dressings, adjusting simple supportive equipment. Performs simple procedures such as collection of blood samples or other fluid samples from ambulatory patients and application of sterile dressings to uncomplicated wounds. Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples. Verifies correct labeling and patient identification. Records test time and intervals as appropriate. Assists with or performs standard health care procedures. Special procedures for women's health can include the annual breast, pap and cervical screening and interview. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Takes care of patients' routine care and comfort needs including personal hygiene, physical comfort, well-being, positioning, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, safety and falls prevention, etc.

Work Schedule: Tours Vary between the hours of 7:00a.m. - 5:30p.m (PST)

Telework: Not authorized for telework

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD20668A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Work Environment: The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance facility work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure too moderate risks or discomfort that requires special safety precautions, including potentially infectious material.

Requirements 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 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.

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.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/12/2025. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

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.

Basic Requirement: All applicants must meet the following 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 meeting the Basic Requirement, applicants must also meet the grade specific requirements listed below:

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-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performing ongoing patient care duties in an outpatient clinical setting; performing observation-based screening and collecting patient information; assisting with preparing patients for medical evaluation, setting up equipment and providing treatment during in-person or virtual visits; providing assistance to Staff Nurse, Nurse Manager, and laboratory support.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation such as phlebotomy, nursing, or other related subjects.

This education was obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. NOTE: Transcripts required. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level.

This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. NOTE: Transcripts required. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

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-05.

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

Education 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:

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign E