The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. The incumbent serves as a Student Trainee in the Send Outs/Processing department in the clinical laboratory of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/28/2026.
Internship Program: To be eligible applicants must:
- Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled.
- Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position.
- Be able to work at least 4 hours per week.
- Meet the grade qualifications must be met prior to start date.
To qualify for the GS 4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours). Transcripts are required.
- Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement
- Maintain status as a current student
- Maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale
- Adhere to an established work schedule approved by the supervisor
- Provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and academic transcripts at the end of each academic period and upon request
- Perform, successfully, the duties and responsibilities in the assigned position description
- Observe all workplace rules, such as dress code, office conduct and behavior
- Participate in all VA mandatory training programs (either on-line or in the classroom)
- Notify the supervisor of any changes in the completion of the educational program, such as graduation date, changes in the major degree requirements, or changes in the educational institution's accreditation.
Upon completion of the program, Interns may be non-competitively converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all of their educational and work experience requirements.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
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/.
Physical Requirements: The work environment in the laboratory involves the use of chemicals, some of which may be toxic if mishandled. Clinical specimens are a biologic hazard due to the possibility of transmission of infectious disease, and are handled continuously by the Medical Technician GS-4, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (I 13), Clinical Chemistry/Blood Bank Hematology technician. The medical technician is required lo use personal protective equipment such as laboratory coats and gloves in the performance of routine and special tasks within the laboratory.Education:
IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application.
Screenshots of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not acceptable substitutes for transcripts and will not be used for qualifying. 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/.Employment Type: OTHER