Intermediate Care Technician (CORE)

Veterans Health Administration • Eureka, CA

1d

About The Position

The Department of Veterans Affairs Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) Program hires transitioning service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and Veterans with experience as corpsmen, combat medics, or medical technicians into roles on VA Medical Center medical teams. Candidates generally qualify through U.S. Armed Forces experience or equivalent education. ICTs work within clearly defined clinical competencies and may serve in clinical settings based on facility needs, including Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Primary Care, specialty clinics, Women's Health, COVID screening and swabbing stations, and vaccine operations.

The technician supports licensed clinical staff in patient care, emergency response, diagnostic testing, minor procedures, medication administration, wound care, and electronic health record documentation. The role may include assisting with behavioral and psychiatric situations and responding to complex or potentially life-threatening conditions. The position is listed as an open continuous announcement; the initial referral cutoff date is December 29, 2026, and applications may be referred as needed. The announcement remains open until no longer needed, but no later than December 29, 2026.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work involves extended periods of bending, standing, and walking, recurring exertion while assisting patients, heavy lifting to position patients, and manual dexterity for clinical procedures. Telework may be authorized, with eligibility discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English for direct patient care.
• For the GS-07 grade level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06, or one full year of directly related graduate education. Transcripts are required when qualifying through education.
• Specialized experience must include relevant knowledge and skills such as crisis intervention and management of aggressive or suicidal psychiatric patients; preparation of medical and surgical instruments; response to life-threatening situations, CPR, and external defibrillator protocols; clinical procedures and interventions; electronic health record documentation; medication administration; and diagnostic studies and results.
• Demonstrate practical knowledge of major body systems and working knowledge of topographic anatomy, diagnostic signs, protocol-approved medications, emergency medicine techniques and communication, legal considerations of emergency medicine, and acute and chronic mental health conditions and crises.
• Meet background and suitability investigation requirements; designated or random drug testing may be required.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Submit a complete application package, including a resume and, where applicable, transcripts. Resumes must be no longer than two pages, legible, and 5 MB or less.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution. Applicants relying on foreign education must provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Military experience as a Hospital Corpsman, Combat Medic, or Medical Technician is highly desired.
• Highly desired military occupational specialties include 4NOX, 4NOIC, X4NO, 1T2X1, 68W, 18D, 68WW1, HM0000, HM8404, HM8425, HM8402, HM8401, HM8403, HM8406, and HS.

Responsibilities

• Perform observation-based screening and collect patient information in collaboration with licensed personnel, including health histories, chief complaints, medication histories, clinical reminders, and information about health-related conditions.
• Complete approved templates and clinical tools, including intake and outtake forms, follow-up notes, clinical reminders, and procedure and intervention notes.
• Assist licensed personnel in outpatient behavioral and psychiatric situations, including crisis intervention, one-to-one observation, and prevention and management of disruptive behavior techniques.
• Assist licensed staff in delivering care to patients with complex, specialized, and potentially life-threatening conditions.
• Set up equipment and assist with treatments during in-person or virtual visits.
• Operate specialized medical equipment to achieve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.
• Observe patient status and notify licensed clinical staff of changes in condition.
• Assist clinical providers with emergency medical care, participate in Rapid-Response-Team emergency response, and assist with training other hospital clinical staff.
• Perform diagnostic tests, including vital signs, 12-lead electrocardiograms, and point-of-care testing such as glucometer testing and COVID swabbing.
• Collect and prepare specimens, including venous blood samples.
• Assist with minor procedures, including simple one-layer laceration repairs, incision and drainage, skin stapling, STERIS trips, and Dermabond procedures.
• Administer specified medications, including nebulized medications, topical medications, limited oral medications, and vaccines.
• Provide wound care, including debridement, wet-to-dry dressings, Unna Boot placement, compression dressings, wound-vac placement, and graft application.
• Thoroughly and appropriately document actions, interventions, procedures, procedural notes, and progress notes in the electronic health record.
• Prepare medical and surgical instruments, set up equipment, pass instruments, and collect specimens.
• Perform treatments and interventions such as cryotherapy, incision and drainage, ambulation, and Foley coude catheter insertion.
• Prepare and administer medications by approved routes and obtain and report diagnostic and laboratory results under the direction of a supervising Licensed Independent Practitioner.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual may take into account approved job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed