Health Technician (Multiple Specialities)
- Perform necessary intake procedures, including screening patients and obtaining vital signs, perform blood draws, administer oral medication as directed by a medical provider, perform subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and vaccinations.
- Perform specimen collection, such as throat, respiratory, or urine specimens, prepare samples for analysis, including labeling and routing to a laboratory.
- Operate an electrocardiogram (EKG).
- Operate a small volume nebulizer.
- Ensure necessary supplies, instrumentation and equipment are properly sterilized and available for patient care.
- Record patient care, reactions to treatment and other relevant information into an Electronic Health Record (EHR).
- Greet and direct visitors in a health care setting, provide in-person and telephone service to meet patient care needs.
- Prepare for the preventive and clinical needs of a patient visit by reviewing patient records and conducting pre-visit planning.
- Use layman terms to deliver age-appropriate oral and written instructions, literature, and patient education regarding topics such as medication use, activities, diet, and self-care in a respectful and supportive manner.
- Provide written medical guidance to patients based on a medical provider's instructions.
- Assist patients with coordination of various procedures throughout different departments in a medical facility.
- Deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations including tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, or dangerous situations.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Must pass pre-employment examination.
Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.
Adherence to the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, SGM 21-04, and the IHS Circular 2016-04 requiring Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations for staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities OR an exemption request will need to be submitted.
On-call hours or standby duty may be required.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit .
You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.
Qualifications
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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-04:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least 6 months of general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter of the position to be filled AND 6 months of specialized experience that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This specialized experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-03 level in the Federal service as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples Include: performing clinical duties such as taking and recording vital signs and preparing patients for examination, typical of medical assistant or health education positions.
OR
Completed 2 years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position.
OR
Possess a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-04 grade level. (For GS-3 and GS-4 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-05:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples Include: determining patient assessment, distinguishing between normal and abnormal findings, and administering intervention as prescribed by the provider, typical of medical assistant or health education positions.
OR
Completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.
OR
Possess a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-05 grade level. (For GS-5 level positions (except Clerk-Stenographer, which does not require specialized experience), only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-06:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples Include: venipuncture, collecting lab specimens, performing basic wound/skin care measures, and administering oral medication, typical of experienced medical assistant or health education positions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-07:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples Include: providing complex health care to high risk patients, using specialized equipment such as cardiac monitors, EKG, & IV fluid pumps, interpreting examination requests accurately and recognizing a need for additional tests, and establishing a patient care plan, typical of experienced or senior medical assistant or health technician positions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-08:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples include: Meet the Health Technician technical competence of the GS-07 grade. Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established work-flow or job specialization, assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, and assures that each employee has enough work to keep busy. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work, and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be disposed of promptly. Estimates and reports on expected time of completion of work and maintains records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepares production reports as requested. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. Gives on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that arise.
Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
Education
This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: .
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 .
Additional information
Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.
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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous 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.
This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.
Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives, and/or Permanent Change of Station may be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign at least (1) year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive.
The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS -
For NHSC -
For HRSA Nurse Corps -
Promotion potential is dependent on the position filled. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
- Benefits
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. .
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.
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-04:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least 6 months of general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter of the position to be filled AND 6 months of specialized experience that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This specialized experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-03 level in the Federal service as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples Include: performing clinical duties such as taking and recording vital signs and preparing patients for examination, typical of medical assistant or health education positions.
OR
Completed 2 years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position.
OR
Possess a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-04 grade level. (For GS-3 and GS-4 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-05:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples Include: determining patient assessment, distinguishing between normal and abnormal findings, and administering intervention as prescribed by the provider, typical of medical assistant or health education positions.
OR
Completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.
OR
Possess a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-05 grade level. (For GS-5 level positions (except Clerk-Stenographer, which does not require specialized experience), only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-06:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples Include: venipuncture, collecting lab specimens, performing basic wound/skin care measures, and administering oral medication, typical of experienced medical assistant or health education positions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-07:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples Include: providing complex health care to high risk patients, using specialized equipment such as cardiac monitors, EKG, & IV fluid pumps, interpreting examination requests accurately and recognizing a need for additional tests, and establishing a patient care plan, typical of experienced or senior medical assistant or health technician positions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-0640-08:
*** Specialized experience must be documented for the specialty you are applying for***
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples include: Meet the Health Technician technical competence of the GS-07 grade. Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established work-flow or job specialization, assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, and assures that each employee has enough work to keep busy. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work, and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be disposed of promptly. Estimates and reports on expected time of completion of work and maintains records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepares production reports as requested. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. Gives on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that arise.
Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
Education
This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: .
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 .
Additional information
Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.
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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous 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.
This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.
Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives, and/or Permanent Change of Station may be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign at least (1) year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive.
The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS -
For NHSC -
For HRSA Nurse Corps -
Promotion potential is dependent on the position filled. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.