Health Technician -Emergency Department

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Daytona Beach (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Health Technician (HCT) to support clinical and administrative tasks in the Emergency Department at the Orlando VA Medical Center. Responsibilities include interviewing patients, documenting vital signs, performing 12-lead EKGs, and monitoring patient conditions.

The role requires one year of specialized experience at GS-5 level, strong communication with veterans, and proficient use of medical terminology and equipment.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5.
• Experience interviewing patients and collecting health data.
• Documentation of vital signs and EKGs; recognizing abnormalities.
• Ability to communicate with veterans and VA staff with courtesy and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients to collect health data.
• Obtain and document vital signs.
• Perform 12-lead EKGs and recognize abnormalities.
• Observe changes in patient condition and inform RN/MD/NP/PA.
• Use medical terminology and equipment properly.

Skills

Interviewing patients

Vital signs collection

12-lead EKG

Patient condition monitoring

Medical terminology

Tools

EKG equipment

Job description

The position of Health Technician (HCT) is established to provide support in a wide variety of basic and intermediate clinical and administrative level functions. This position is located in the Emergency Department, Nursing Service, Orlando VA Medical Center. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/13/2026.

Individual Occupational 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 the Individual Occupational Requirement, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• 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:
  • Interviewing patients to collect information and data about current health status and the immediate need(s).
  • Obtaining and documenting patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, actual weight, oxygen saturation and postural vital signs) performing 12 Lead EKGs and recognizing abnormalities and changes.
  • Observing changes in patient condition and reports signs and symptoms in such cases to the RN, MD, NP or PA. Recognizes emergency situations and responds to them appropriately.
  • Proficient in medical terminology, drug terminology, and equipment/supply terminology, and skills sufficient to identify and use equipment and supplies properly.
  • Communicate and treat customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and proving customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.

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/.