Home / Federal careers / GS-0640
Health Aid and Technician
Federal healthcare position performing patient care assistance, clinical support, vital signs monitoring, and health technician duties at VA hospitals and federal medical facilities.
What GS-0640 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-3 | $27,434 | $28,349 | $29,264 | $30,179 | $31,094 | $32,009 | $32,924 | $33,839 | $34,754 | $35,660 |
| GS-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0640, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0640:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Applicants must demonstrate support duties to medical or health personnel including audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists.
Education and Training Alternatives:
- GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included study in medical, health, or related fields.
- GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position.
- GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0640
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Occupational Therapist
Direct healthcare translation. Highlight occupational therapy, patient care, and rehabilitation.
Skills that carry over: Occupational Therapy, Patient Care, Rehabilitation, Assessment, Treatment Planning.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Physical Therapist
Direct healthcare translation. Highlight physical therapy, patient care, and rehabilitation.
Skills that carry over: Physical Therapy, Patient Care, Rehabilitation, Assessment, Treatment Planning.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Hospital Corpsman Chief
Chief medical expertise.
Skills that carry over: Medical Care, Leadership, Training, Emergency Medicine, Management.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Assist with patient care procedures
- Collect specimens and vital signs
- Prepare patients for examinations
- Maintain medical equipment
- Document patient information
- Transport patients
Key competencies
Patient Support
Ability to assist healthcare professionals with patient care activities.
Medical Terminology
Knowledge of medical terms and healthcare vocabulary.
Equipment Operation
Skill in operating basic medical and diagnostic equipment.
Record Keeping
Ability to maintain accurate patient records and documentation.
Vital Signs
Skill in taking and recording patient vital signs.
Infection Control
Knowledge of basic infection prevention procedures.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare team.
Clinical Support
Skill in providing technical support in clinical settings.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0640
What is a Health Aid or Technician?
GS-0640 Health Aids and Technicians provide clinical support at federal medical facilities. They assist with patient care procedures, collect specimens and vital signs, prepare patients for exams, maintain equipment, document patient information, and transport patients. They're essential support staff at VA hospitals and clinics.
How much does a federal Health Technician make?
GS-0640 positions range from GS-3 ($27,434) for health aids to GS-7 ($42,679-$55,486) for senior technicians. Most positions are GS-4 to GS-6 ($30,795-$49,927). Specialty technicians (EKG, phlebotomy, ophthalmology) may reach GS-7. Add locality pay and federal benefits.
What are the requirements for GS-0640 positions?
At GS-3, you need 6 months of general experience or 1 year of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized healthcare experience. Certifications in phlebotomy, EKG, or other specialties strengthen applications. Basic life support (BLS) certification is typically required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0640?
Absolutely. Military medic, corpsman, or healthcare experience directly qualifies. 68W (Combat Medic), Hospital Corpsman, 4N0 (Aerospace Medical Service) and similar MOSs are perfect preparation. Your clinical skills, medical terminology knowledge, and patient care experience translate directly to these positions.
What is the career progression for Health Technicians?
Entry at GS-3/4 with progression to GS-6/7. This is an excellent entry point to federal healthcare careers. Many use it as a stepping stone to nursing (with education), specialized technician roles, or healthcare administration. VA offers tuition assistance for advancement.
How do I apply for GS-0640 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Health Technician,' 'Nursing Assistant,' or 'Health Aid.' VA hospitals and clinics are the largest employers. Emphasize your clinical experience, certifications, and patient care skills. Veterans with medical MOSs have directly applicable experience—your military medical training is highly valued.
Ready to apply for GS-0640?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.