The Health Technician position in the Otolaryngology (ENT) Clinic works directly with doctors, nurse practitioners, and ENT residents in the clinic. This position falls under the Chief of Surgical Service, and reports directly to the Nurse Practitioner supervisor. The position involves operating and monitoring medical equipment and instruments according to the procedure being done at that time on a regular and recurring basis. The employee rotates to assist in other subspecialty areas as needed.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/16/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. 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-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: working in an outpatient setting; working with ENT medical machines, supplies, and instruments; function as a team member with nurses, physicians, and technicians; use of medical terminology in order to interpret instructions and document; use of VA rules and regulations regarding patients and employee care; use of VA Policy concerning infections in order to safely perform duties; and interpersonal relation skills towards the patient and family regarding care. 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 at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the occupation. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. 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 high school. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clerical Diagnostic Medical Testing Patient Care 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work of this position involves regular and recurring exposure to infection and contagious diseases. Special gloves, gowns, or mask are required as safety precautions against various exposures, such as patients with skin lesions, open ulcers, chronic AIDS (contagious state), and Tuberculosis. The position is also exposed to blood and body fluids when in contact with patients and while handling contaminated medical supplies. The Health Technician is also subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items, and cuts from both sterile and contaminated instruments. The work environment includes everyday risk or discomfort, which requires normal safety precautions. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. This position requires some exposure to bloodborne pathogens, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. 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/.
The duties of the Health Technician position in the Otolaryngology clinic include: Procedures, Diagnostic and Ambulatory Surgery (50%) Prepares patients for diagnostic and ambulatory procedures - i.e. performing time out prior to procedures, assisting with consents received via telephone, and draping patients. Arranges and tests technical equipment for ENT procedures, such as fiberoptic laryngoscopy, excision of skin lesions, myringotomy, biopsy, irrigation of wax, nasal endoscopy and epistaxis. Examines the external auditory canal and irrigates out cerumen prior to audiograms and hearing aid fittings. Assists the physician in all diagnostic and ambulatory surgery procedures performed in the clinic. Sets up electrical cautery versus coagulation set up where indicated, making available the proper electrodes and grounding of the patient. Dispenses prosthetics devices as ordered by the physician and provides instruction in their use - such as voice prosthesis and tracheal tubes. Assists in screening patients referred from Admissions Office & Triage - i.e. takes blood pressure and temperatures; evaluates for emergency care; and observes patients for unusual behavior. Returns patient phone calls and relays information to patients via phone from physician, residents and nurse practitioners. Provides training to ENT Residents. May be asked to participate with the Otolaryngologist in the planning for medical procedures involving new techniques, equipment, and machinery. Maintenance of ENT Supplies and Equipment (40%) Stocks and cleans supplies and instruments used daily. Pre-cleans and places unsterile equipment in a designated area where they are picked up and re-sterilized. Maintains ENT equipment including the microscope, fiberoptic laryngoscope, nasal endoscopy, video equipment, photographic material for medical use, and other instrumentation. Orders specialized tracheostomies (trachs) and Tracheoesophageal Prosthesis (TEPs). Maintains template control monitor flow sheet and reports irregularities as warranted. Orders recurring supplies for use in the clinic. Monitors supplies in rooms for expiration dates and rotates them accordingly. Record Keeping (10%) Executes laboratory forms as indicated by the physician, including cultures and tissue examinations. Maintains quarterly equipment list. Please note that this position rotates to assist in other subspecialty areas as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or 7:30 am - 4:00 pm; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Otolaryngology/PD842240 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized