Health Technician

You will serve at VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Seattle Division, and operate as a Health Technician assigned to the Patient Escort Service (PES), a subsection within the Nurse Executive Office. Qualified applicants will begin to be referred to the hiring manager on Friday, July 31st, 2026 and subsequently as needed. This position will remain open to the closing date unless the position is filled, in which case the announcement will be closed.

Provide mobility assistance to patients requiring transport by wheelchair, stretchers, medical beds, or other clinical contraptions. Manage a centralized dispatch operation. Assist doctors and nurses in managing clinical emergencies (codes). Use Safe Patient Handling equipment and techniques to perform patient lifts, transfers, and other assistive maneuvers. Manage a high number of calls using multiple rollover lines. Write down caller information and promptly respond to such. Deal calmly and courteously with callers, some of whom may be upset or irate. Transport patients that are receiving IV sedations, blood product transfusions, chemotherapy agents, or are on cardiac monitors only when RNs/Physicians accompany such transports. Procure blood products from the lab in accordance with Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) policy and procedures. Transport collected specimens to the lab for analysis; delivers specimens to designated areas in the lab; time stamps dispatch sheet upon delivery of specimens. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: This position has various work schedules. The selections assigned work schedule will be determined by the needs of the service. Telework: This is not a telework position Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD40984A Physical Requirements: A pre-placement physical examination is not required. However, employees who work this position work long periods (possibly hours) on his/her feet standing, walking, pushing, pulling, bending, lifting and utilizing SPH equipment. When performing dispatch operations, the incumbent sits at a desk (possibly for hours) and answers a phone and writes down caller information at the repetitive rate of about 25 calls per hour. When performing transport duties, the incumbent is able to carry out a minimum of four transports per hour or 30 transports per 8-hour tour of duty. Must have physical control of one's torsos and extremities, as necessary, to execute gross and fine motor movements within normal ranges of motion. Possesses sufficient strength in legs to ambulate while performing manual/motorized transports. Possesses sufficient strength to grip and control movement of equipment for the durations of transports. Must be able to physically walk up and down stairs, as necessary to carry out transports of hand-carried items. Must be able to utilize office equipment. Must be able to read and understand information in printed and electronic format such as that presented in charts, on patient's identification bands, computer screens, phones, communications badges, and other handheld devices as may be employed for use by staff during the performance of duties. Work Conditions: The incumbent works out of a central office with adequate seating for staff, sufficient light for reading, and climate controls to regulate room temperature. The great majority of PES work is performed inside the medical center with some transports of patients and items to/from outside patios, courtyards, and curbsides at the front and rear entrances to the medical center. VA-issued uniforms may be required to be worn when on duty. VA-issued keys and proximity cards are carried on one's person for purposes of gaining access to offices and restricted areas as necessary. The work environment also contains increased risks associated with potentially fatal infections or situations involving difficult or disturbed patients.

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 (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) The Selected Applicant must be proficient in the English language. The Selected Applicant must work uncommon tours of duty as needed, to include nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, rotating shifts, and emergency call-back. 5 CFR § 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies. 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.