Medical Technician

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. Each of these functions is a percentage of his/her total time on duty.

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Duties

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Major Duties:

• Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer systems, syringe, butterfly, and/or capillary finger sticks.
• Collects blood specimens, using correct container and order of draw.
• Collects urine specimens and cultures in a manner that preserves the integrity of sample.
• Processes emergency specimens and routine specimens in a timely manner.
• Follows proper protocol for specialty blood draws.
• Evaluates the suitability of specimens.
• Prepares electronic requisitions for samples to be sent to the reference laboratories.
• Uses a computer to retrieve laboratory test information.
• Performs computerized accessioning of patient specimens.
• Identifies inpatients and outpatients for whom laboratory tests have been ordered, and prints labels for appropriate blood samples.
• Understands and utilizes information resource technology (i.e. computers, printers, label printers, copy machines, phones, fax machines, various computer information packages, etc.).
• Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques of urine, stool, or other fluid collections.
• Interacts with patients, visitors, staff, students and volunteers in a courteous, helpful, tactful, cooperative, respectful and compassionate manner.
• Responds positively and in a timely manner to customer requests for service or information.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
• Identifies patients and ensure proper sample procurement and specimen labeling.
• Assesses patient condition before, during, and after procedures.
• Administers initial intervention in the event of an emergency.
• Observes and reports any physical or mental changes during patient blood draws.
• Prepares samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, decanting and aliquoting, etc.
• Sterilizes and autoclaves contaminated material according to safety policies
• Cleans glassware and other reusable items following established policies and procedures.
• Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations associated with phlebotomy.
• Collects specimens using proper patient identification and specimen labeling.
• Maintains operational and quality control logs, records, and worksheets.
• Identifies unusual test results or discrepancies/conditions that can lead to erroneous results.

Work Schedule : Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays. In addition to the assigned tour of duty, an assigned rotation for On-Call and Disaster Schedule for Essential Personnel will be required to meet minimum staffing requirements and service needs.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician / PD06608A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : 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
• 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
• 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 ( 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 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 or trial 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, 07/06/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Individual Occupational Requirements

Specialized Experience

For this occupational series you must have experience with (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.

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 position to be filled.

Selective Placement Factor(s)

Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

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-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer systems, syringe, butterfly, and/or capillary finger sticks. Collects blood specimens, using correct container and order of draw. Processes emergency specimens and routine specimens in a timely manner Assesses patient condition before, during, and after procedures Administers initial intervention in the event of an emergency. Identifies patients and ensure proper sample procurement and specimen labeling. Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations associated with phlebotomy.

OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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..

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..

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Patient Care
• Quality Assurance
• Specimen Collection

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: Work is performed in a laboratory atmosphere and requires regular and physical exertion such as sitting (2-4 hours), walking (6-8 hours), repetitive bending (6-8 hours), standing (6-8 hours), moderate lifting (14-30 pounds), and average carrying (14-30 pounds). The work requires specific physical characteristics and abilities, and dexterity needed to perform complex analytical and technical procedures. Use of both hands and all fingers required, both legs required, ability to reach beyond shoulder (2 hours), ability to pull hand over fist (0.25 hours), ability to push (0.5 hours). Capacity for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, Depth perception, Normal color vision, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability. Performing phlebotomy and entering patient information, test orders, and data in a computer may expose the technician to repetitive motion

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

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.

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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.