Summary
The incumbent serves as a Medical Technician in the Central Phlebotomy and Processing Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service; responsible for collecting, accessioning, and specimen processing of outpatient and inpatient populations samples. These complex duties include reference laboratory specimen processing, clerical functions, patient education, and outpatient and inpatient phlebotomy as necessary.
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Duties
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Duties consist of the following, but are not limited to:
- Perform venipuncture collections from outpatients, correctly identifying using active response techniques.
- Perform venipuncture collections with minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or requiring patient call backs for requested laboratory test, ensuring that samples are submitted to clinical laboratory with the least possible delay.
- Make judgements regarding sufficiency of sample, panel selection, and selection of testing medium.
- Interact directly with liver/kidney/bone marrow transplant recipients or prospective recipients
- Check for orders by looking into the computer 14 days in advance and 60 days in the past of patients' arrival date and ensures that only authorized medical personnel have requested tests.
- Generate labels to match testing requisition, the electronic request, and the patient's identification.
- Interview the patient to determine which specialty clinic or primary care provider failed to order the tests.
- Responsible for ensuring that all blood bank tube information is received from the patient and that the information is correct and accurate.
- Use standard aseptic procedures and adhere to safety, infection control, and universal precautions while drawing blood, including such things as wearing gloves, using needle protection devices and proper disposal for infectious waste.
- Responsible for the collection and processing of specimens used for drugs of abuse screening for Veterans.
- Educate patients on proper collection techniques for specialty testing such as 24- hour urine, ova and parasite collections, and testing sent to commercial reference laboratories.
- Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous test results.
- Perform collections for various VA sponsored research projects such as Depleted Uranium and Million Veteran Program.
- Independently identify hazardous materials and decide which shipping protocol to use for varying hazardous specimens
Work Schedule: Various, rotating holidays/weekends, based on facility needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Blood Draw Technician/Phlebotomy)
/PD031190
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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
- 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
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- 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 dentification 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)
- In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/07/2026.
Preferred Experience: Phlebotomy Experience
Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR): The Medical Technician, 0645 series has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR) which is a minimum qualification requirement. To be considered for the position, you must ensure that the experience is reflected in your resume and/or if applicable, transcripts must be uploaded to support education requirements or substitution.
- Specialized Experience: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the Medical Technician position.
~ OR ~
- Education and Training: 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 appropriate to the Medical Technician position.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations.
OR,
- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR,
- Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Attention to Detail
- Decision Making
- Infection Control
- Interpersonal Skills
- Organizational Awareness
- Specimen Collection
- Teamwork
- Veteran and Customer Focus
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands are primarily standing and walking, but also some bending, lifting, and carrying of light items. Also, there are times of considerable exertion with patient positioning to do inpatient blood draws (50 pounds or more). The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work environment involves regular and recurrent exposure to moderate risks or discomforts typically associated with performing phlebotomy on patients (as well as specimen handling), requiring special safety precautions.
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
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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.
Whole Health Statement: The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model that is based in a partnership across time, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
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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.
