Intermediate Care Technician (CORE)

Veterans Health Administration • Clearlake, CA

2d

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 corpsman, combat medic, or medical technician backgrounds into roles on VA Medical Center care teams. The ICT works within clearly defined clinical competencies and may serve in settings such as Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Primary Care, specialty clinics, Women's Health, COVID screening and swabbing stations, and vaccine operations, according to facility needs.

The technician assists licensed clinical staff with patient care, including observation-based screening, gathering patient information, preparing equipment, conducting diagnostic tests, collecting specimens, assisting with procedures and treatments, and documenting care in the Electronic Health Record. The role may also involve assisting with behavioral or psychiatric crises, responding to medical emergencies as part of a Rapid-Response Team, monitoring patient status, and helping train other hospital clinical staff.

This is an open continuous announcement. The initial referral cutoff date is December 29, 2026; applications may be referred as needed, and the announcement will remain open until no longer needed, but no later than December 29, 2026. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position may be authorized for telework; eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English for direct patient care.
• Must meet the GS-07 qualification requirement through either 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 experience such as psychiatric crisis intervention and disruptive-behavior management; preparing medical and surgical instruments and equipment; collecting specimens; responding to life-threatening situations using CPR and external defibrillator protocols; performing specified treatments and interventions; Electronic Health Record documentation; medication preparation and administration through applicable routes; minor procedures and treatments; and ordering diagnostic studies under an LIP's direction and obtaining and reporting diagnostic and laboratory results.
• Demonstrate practical knowledge of major body systems, working knowledge of topographic anatomy and diagnostic signs, and knowledge of protocol-approved medications.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of emergency medicine techniques and emergency communication, legal considerations in emergency medicine, and acute and chronic mental health conditions and crises.
• Subject to a background and suitability investigation; designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must submit a complete application package, including required resume and transcripts.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Resume must be no longer than two pages, legible, and 5 MB or less.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Military experience as a Hospital Corpsman, Combat Medic, or Medical Technician is highly desired.
• Highly desired military specialties include 4N0X Basic Medical Technician, 4N0IC Independent Duty Medical Technician, X4NO Aeromedical Evacuation Technician, 1T2X1 Pararescueman, 68W Combat Medic Specialist, 18D Army Special Forces Medic, 68WW1 Special Operations Flight Medic, HM0000 Basic Hospital Corpsman, HM8404 Field Medical Service Technician, HM8425 Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman, HM8402 Submarine Force Independent Duty Corpsman, HM8401 Search and Rescue Medical Technician, HM8403 Fleet Marine Force Reconnaissance Independent Duty Corpsman, HM8406 Aerospace Medical Technician, and HS Basic Health Services Technician.

Responsibilities

• Perform observation-based screening and collect patient information in collaboration with licensed personnel, including health history, chief complaints, medication history, clinical reminders, and relevant health conditions.
• Complete approved templates and documentation, including intake and outtake forms, follow-up notes, clinical reminders, procedure notes, and intervention notes.
• Assist licensed personnel in outpatient behavioral and psychiatric situations, including crisis intervention, observation of patients at risk of aggression or suicide, and use of prevention and management of disruptive behavior techniques.
• Assist licensed staff in delivering care to patients in complex, specialized, and potentially life-threatening situations.
• Set up equipment and assist with treatment during in-person or virtual visits.
• Operate specialized medical equipment to obtain diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.
• Observe patient status and promptly inform licensed clinical staff of changes in condition.
• Assist providers with emergency medical care and participate in emergency response as part of the Rapid-Response Team.
• Assist with training other hospital clinical staff.
• Perform diagnostic tests, including vital signs and 12-lead electrocardiograms.
• Perform point-of-care testing, including glucometer testing and COVID swabbing.
• Collect and prepare specimens, including venous blood samples.
• Assist with or perform minor procedures, including simple one-layer laceration repairs, incision and drainage, skin stapling, STERIS trips, and Dermabond application.
• Administer medications within approved competencies, 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• VA may credit job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the rate of annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level