Health Technician - Acute Care

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The incumbent will be assigned to the Nursing Service Line of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). The Healthcare Technician (HCT) provides clinical and clerical support including patient care tasks, cleaning, supplies, escorting functions, and general clerical duties under the nurse manager’s supervision.

Qualifications include one year of specialized experience at the GS-04 level or education substituting to a bachelor’s degree with related coursework; combination of education and

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 in the normal line of progression.
• Education substitution: 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with related courses.
• Combination of education and experience may qualify as described; transcripts may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical support such as basic patient care tasks under supervision.
• Perform cleaning and supply duties to maintain unit readiness.
• Escort, transfer, and ambulate patients under supervision.
• Handle clerical tasks and support Nursing Staff to ensure coordinated patient services.

Skills

Vital signs

Patient escort/assistance

Nurse instruction interpretation

Customer service in patient care

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher required/4-year degree with related courses

Job description

The incumbent will be assigned to work in the Nursing Service Line of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), under the direct supervision of the nurse manager. The Healthcare Technician (HCT) is a highly specialized position, providing both clinical and clerical support such as patient care tasks, cleaning and supply duties, escorting functions, and clerical tasks. This position provides assistance to the Nursing Staff to assure coordinated and efficient patient services. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2026.

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: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Ability to provide technical assessments/measurements such as blood pressure, respirations, oral and axillary temperature, weight, and pulse under the close observation of a supervisor. Ability to observe, escort, transfer, and ambulate patients under the close supervision of peers. Able to interpret instruction by Registered Nurse staff. General customer service skills in relation to patient care. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond. Successfully completed the equivalent combination of post-high school education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (beyond the second year) and specialized experience as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application.

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/.