Summary
The incumbent performs accessioning, phlebotomy, processing of specimens and diagnostic testing duties at the Appleton CBOC. The position is aligned under the Primary Care Division of the VA Medical Center, Milwaukee.
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Duties
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DUTIES:
- Answers incoming calls, finds and relays information or refers the caller to the appropriate technical personnel.
- Performs routine and specialized venipuncture of outpatients in order to obtain blood specimens for laboratory testing. Assigns priority to test requests.
- Explains diagnostic procedures and collection procedures, position patients for desired results.
- Receives all requests for testing within the diagnostic section. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Establishes priorities for emergency orders. Notifies the technical staff of pending work.
- Provides assistance with the training and guidance in phlebotomy techniques to LPNs, RNs, students, and/or new phlebotomy employees rotating through the blood collection area.
- Accepts and enters all requests for diagnostic testing into the hospital computer system using the computerized medical record, laboratory, radiology and diagnostic menus and 200 computer codes.
- Accesses/registers diagnostic orders and generates computer-printed labels. Documents and reviews collection problems.
- Receives specimens delivered to the laboratory for analysis. Evaluates each specimen and laboratory order to ensure that the specimens are properly obtained and appropriate for the test(s). Rejects unacceptable specimens and refers questions to the technical staff.
- Ensures accurate patient and specimen identification using armband, Social Security number, and picture identification card. Verifies the patient identification with the request and labels nil tubes according to established policies and procedures.
- Processes specimens including centrifuging, allocating and storage of the sample. Processes, packages and ships specimens to the reference laboratories.
- Performs limited laboratory tests, inclusive glucose tolerance tests.
- Maintains phlebotomy area physical facilities and equipment. Performs quality control and preventive maintenance functions. Maintains storage and inventory of phlebotomy and diagnostic working supplies.
- Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments. Sets and modifies operational parameters for equipment with few operating functions. Reports equipment malfunctions to supervisor. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the ordering provider. Records results in the permanent record.
- Performs standard diagnostic procedures which include electrocardiograms. Operates, calibrates and maintains instruments and accessories used to assist with or perform standard diagnostic procedures.
- Performs direct patient care duties in the laboratory und the clinic by directing, instructing, and assisting patients with specimen collection and hospital processing.
- Maintains records and files related to the diagnostic area. Collects data required for Performance Improvement monitors, participates in quality assurance tasks within the team or part of a multidisciplinary team.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD25364A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may/will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/14/2026.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-5 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the GS-5 Health Technician (Phlebotomy) position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service to qualify at the GS-5 level. Specialized Experience includes but is not limited to: Appropriate use of collection tubes, minimum volume requirements, specimen processing and transportation conditions, testing procedures and requirements, and phlebotomy procedures/techniques. Following the established guidelines for rejecting specimens submitted to the laboratory and "Unable to Obtain" specimens. Knowledge of packaging and shipping of laboratory specimens guidelines. Aware of special requirements in dealing with potentially hostile psychiatric patients, the seriously ill patient, and those patients with communicable infections and diseases. Knowledge of infection control aseptic and sterile techniques to prevent cross contamination.
OR
GS-5 Education: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position.
Transcripts Required
OR
Combination of Education and Experience GS-5: Combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the 2nd year/60 semester hours) AND specialized experience which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level.
Transcripts Required
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/.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
The
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
