Remote Specimen Accessioner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The employee is expected to perform as a Phlebotomist within the Phlebotomy section for Specialty Care at the Albany VA medical Center and is under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager. The incumbent will perform a wide variety of blood collection duties on patients both inpatient and outpatient as well as medical center employees that are consistent with phlebotomy.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrates versatility of skill in rapidly proceeding from one patient to another to perform multiple and simultaneous collection using accurate patient and specimen identification processes.
• Performs all clerical duties required of the position, including checking orders and printing labels.
• Sets up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures, making sure that all phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standard.
• Monitors the patient environment to ensure patient safety during phlebotomy procedures.
• Receives requests for testing and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request.
• Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action, including establishing priorities for emergency orders.
• Enters all requests into the electronic health record using multiple formats.
• Properly uses approximately 200 computer codes for laboratory test
• Assists patients with complex sample collection by anterior nasal swabbing and urine collection schedules such as 24-hour.
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data under the provisions of HIPAA and other applicable laws, federal regulations, and VHA Directives.
• Maintains the blood drawing room, including the replacement of supplies as needed.
• Keeps the appropriate staff informed of any needed supplies in a timely manner and is responsible for determining that no outdated reagents, tubes, etc. are left on the shelves.
• Assists the Logistics staff in dating and properly storing supplies as they arrive.
• Properly rotates reagents to ensure proper usage by expiration date.
• Maintains inventory and orders necessary phlebotomy supplies from in-house supply area.
• Uses own initiative in directing the activities of the phlebotomy area, working independently and without specific instructions.
• Verifies the patient's information and orders in CPRS, labels all tubes with the patient's name, social security number, date, and time, to ensure proper identification.
• Identifies changes in patient status i.e., vital signs, oxygen saturation, diaphoresis, change in skin color, level of consciousness and reports the changes to the physician and/or nurse, or calls a Code Blue as appropriate for the presentation.
• Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal/standard precautions during all interactions with patients.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Full time; Monday-Friday, day shift
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician- Phlebotomist/PD03058A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Requirements
Help
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 will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, 06/22/2026.
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: Performing a variety of blood collection duties, setting up equipment for phlebotomy procedures, making sure that all phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standards, and adheres to safety, infection control, and universal/standard precautions during all interactions with patients. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond one full year of above high school, (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/.
Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.
Review our benefits
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.