Certified Medical Assistant (Health Technician)

Quick Facts

• Role: Health Technician (Certified Medical Assistant) in Primary Care Clinics

• Setting: Outpatient primary care

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, full-time 8-hour tours with occasional Saturdays

Description

Provide basic and more complex nursing care in an outpatient primary care clinic for Veterans with urgent or chronic conditions, changes in mental or functional status, and preventive care needs. Duties include answering patient calls, coordinating with providers and partner departments, rooming patients, collecting and labeling specimens, performing simple procedures (including sterile dressing changes and immunizations), and conducting limited tests such as glucometer checks with documented results.

Responsibilities

• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations

• Manage incoming phone calls and patient appointment requests

• Coordinate with providers, pharmacy, and prosthetics as needed

• Retrieve telephone messages and complete timely follow-up calling

• Perform sterile/non-sterile dressing changes and maintain sterile conditions

• Administer immunizations per directive

• Collect and properly label specimens for lab delivery

• Screen patients, gather information, obtain vital signs, and communicate with patients and care teams

• Check patients in and out; prepare exam rooms per rooming guidelines

• Assist with special procedures and chaperone providers when requested

• Perform limited testing (e.g., glucometer) and document/report results

• Conduct charting and patient/family education; support instructions

• Use disruptive behavior management techniques effectively

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized clinic areas; restock and rotate dated supplies

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Completion of required application steps including an online assessment

• Pass urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment (refusal denies employment)

• Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959

• English proficiency for direct patient care (basic written and spoken)

• Meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (GS-0640) via specialized experience and applicable knowledge/skills

• Certified or Registered Medical Assistant credential from a completed college-level program

• Background/security investigation

• Online onboarding with acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant as of May 7, 2025)

• Seasonal influenza vaccination required

• Complete a 1-year probationary period and obtain written certification to continue employment

Benefits

A comprehensive federal employee benefits package (eligibility depends on position type); review the hiring agency benefits information.