Medical Technician- Phlebotomist

This announcement has been extended. Applicants who have applied do not need to reapply. However applicants must assure their application materials support the qualification requirements of the position.

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Major duties and responsibilities will include:

• Follows procedures for patient identification sample procurement and specimen labeling
• Performs routine venipuncture specimen collections from patients
• Follows laboratory procedures for collecting specimens in the appropriate container
• Controls the physical condition of samples and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained
• Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques
• Prepares samples for testing to include labeling centrifugation decanting and aliquoting etc.
• Maintains adequate supplies for all phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures
• Answers incoming calls for the laboratory service - finding and relaying accurate information or referring the caller to technical personnel
• Performs standard diagnostic tests/procedures such as bleeding time occult blood urine dipstick pregnancy test fingerstick glucose
• Performs sterilization on the autoclave and cleans glassware and other reusable items
• Identifies and appropriately responds to adverse reactions such as fainting nausea vomiting convulsions and arrests
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Full - Time 8am-4:30pm OR 6am-2:30pm with rotating holidays and weekends
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

• 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 drivers 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 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.

To apply for this position you must have the following qualifications:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: 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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

AND

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill knowledge ability or other worker characteristics basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

AND

To qualify for this position at the GS-4 level you must meet one of the following:

1. EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level that equipped you with the particular knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: (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
2. EDUCATION: Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a years duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences plus successful completion of the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. OR
3. COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience as described above. Note: only education in excess of the first 30 semester hours of a course of study leading to an associates degree creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. One full academic year of study or 30 semester hours beyond the first year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application)

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

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

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

Physical Requirements: Approximately 60% of the work performed is accomplished in a standing or bending position while performing phlebotomy/processing procedures. Lifting and carrying trays specimens and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds is required. Approximately 40% of the time is spent sitting reaching and walking in the performance of phlebotomy and processing duties. Computer typing skills are required to appropriately input patient test requests properly queue reports and collection labels and for the monitoring of CRTs and printers for proper operation. The proportion of time spent standing bending stretching and walking versus sitting varies depending on the assigned tasks at any time (i.e. phlebotomy clerical or specimen processing).


For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at