Summary The Medical Technician is responsible for collecting and processing specimens including computerized accessioning, and delivery to the point of analysis or, if analysis is to be delayed, ensuring proper storage conditions are utilized to preserve specimen integrity. Additionally, they check-in/accession patients and collect specimens through phlebotomy procedures. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Demonstrates knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices of phlebotomy, hemostasis, and requirement of blood collection for the various tests performed in the laboratory. Addresses patient phlebotomy issues such as difficult sticks, troubleshooting patient samples, and resolving patient/ patient family members and provider/nurse complaints or concerns. Obtains timely and appropriate blood samples as ordered per PLMS policies and procedures for both inpatient and outpatient orders. Cleans and restocks the blood collection room and areas where collection trays and equipment are used/stored. Identifies tests that require special handling conditions and appropriately performs proper specimen collection. Initiates emergency care procedures in the event a patient has reaction to blood collection procedures including fainting, hematoma, and anxiety. Provides customer relation services when receiving laboratory specimens from patients and other services within the VA North Texas Healthcare System. Serves as a subject matter expert for other healthcare professionals on the collection and processing of all laboratory testing. Reviews and accepts test request orders for samples submitted for testing. This includes accessioning samples into the laboratory. Separates and routes the specimen to the specific laboratory section that performs the ordered test. Ensures samples are prioritized according to P&LMS guidelines. Recognizes emergency testing situations and takes necessary action to direct the sample to the proper location. Notifies the laboratory staff of the need for emergent testing. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30 am - 5:30 pm, Rotating holidays and weekends. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD00920A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements 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 (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) 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, 03/03/2026. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series. The Individual Occupational Requirement for the Medical Technician position is: Specialized Experience. For positions at GS-4 and above: (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. For GS-4: 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 year's 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 a full-time training course of approximately a year's duration in a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school that included instruction in chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology (including serology) and that, in addition, included supervised laboratory practice incident to the diagnostic process and the treatment of patients; 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. In addition to the Individual Occupation Requirements listed above, you must also have: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: General and Specialized Experience: You must have: Six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience. General Experience is defined as any @type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of Specialized Experience includes: prepares samples for testing in the various clinical laboratory sections; performs routine venipuncture specimen collection from patients; verifies patient information and tests ordered in the computer system; provides customer service to all patients arriving in the laboratory for blood collection; performs proper specimen handling techniques; distributes, stores and delivers supplies and other materials used for phlebotomy service. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. (Transcript Required). 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 one year of high school with courses related to the occupation. (Transcript Required). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Specimen Collection Computer Skills Customer Service Patient Care Quality Assurance 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: Physical demands may involve minimal lifting of supplies and material, standing, foot travel, bending, and sitting. The incumbent must have the digital dexterity and adequate vision to perform safe venipuncture and testing procedures. Light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds; reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Waling 2-14 hours, Standing 6-8 hours; Depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (Aid may be permitted) 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/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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.
