Summary This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) at the Boise VA Medical Center. The incumbent performs a variety of functions, including accession specimens into computer system; collects, evaluates, and processes patient specimens; answers questions relative to specimens; instructs and assists patients; and sends out specimens for testing. Follows policies and procedures established by service, medical center, VA, and regulatory agencies. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Collects and processes specimens obtained for analyses throughout P&LMS and associated reference laboratories, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patients and the quality of the specimen. Performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatients, and ambulatory inpatients, with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required re-sticks, ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, notifying appropriate emergency personnel as needed. Performs work related to tests and examinations using the techniques of medical laboratory practice in one or more specialized areas. Prepares specimens for testing, such as labeling, centrifugation, decanting, aliquoting, etc., prepares reagents, performs the test procedure, verifies the accuracy of the results and reports results in the VISTA computer system. The technician must be familiar with tests performed throughout the Laboratory, i.e., cytology, chemistry, and hematology. Operates centrifuges, reporting any malfunction to supervisor, as needed, and evaluates temperature requirements of refrigerators on the wards as needed. Processes timely request for supplies to ensure adequate materials are always maintained. Receives and sorts specimens collected from inpatients, outpatients, and all CBOC's, checks request slips for proper information, logs in specimen, and delivers specimens to various laboratory sections. Receives accessioning and processing of laboratory specimens from the main draw room, emergency department (ED), ward collect specimens, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and Home Base Health Care (HBHC) patient draws. Verifies the accuracy of information on each specimen, accessions (receives) each specimen into the computer system, prints and accurately labels each specimen. Manually accessions (multi-purpose accessioning) any specimen(s) received with a written laboratory requisition. Sorts all specimens by laboratory department and distributes specimens to corresponding testing area (i.e., Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Blood Bank, Microbiology, Send Out (Reference Laboratory). Generates (document) occurrence reports for any specimen(s) rejected for analysis (i.e., unlabeled, mislabeled, clotted, QNS, or other reasons for rejections). Performs computer downtime operations when the EHR is not operational; manually enters all patient information found in the computer down time form, test orders, and generates labels; labels, sorts, and delivers all specimens to designated testing areas of the lab; and diligently reorders laboratory tests in the EHR system for all patients once the EHR system becomes operational. Observes and processes employee drug screen testing. Enters pathology biopsy specimens form hospital and clinics, into the laboratory computer reporting system, prepares specimen cassettes, and prepares bar code labels for specimens. Responsible for receiving Microbiology specimens. Prepare gram stains on specimens when appropriate. Loads blood culture bottles into the Vitek Blood Culture Incubator. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions as directed by the Technologist on duty. Performs instrument maintenance for PCR analyzer. Performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system for waived testing. Responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of all centrifuges and serofuges in the service. Processes send out specimens and stores specimens according to specimen storage requirements (i.e., ambient, frozen, or refrigerated). Trouble shoots issues on the automated instrument and work independently to be assigned to operate the automated instrument. Conducts training for new laboratory medical technicians, new medical laboratory technologists (MT)/chemistry staff and medical technologist students on how to operate and trouble-shoot the chemistry automated processing instrument. Work Schedule: Part Time, Thursdays & Fridays, 6:00am to 2:30pm MST (Rotating holidays and weekends) Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD60447A 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 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 You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 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, 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 Time-In-Grade and Specialized Experience requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 07/27/2026. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment. For this vacancy, employees under the GS pay system must have held a GS-3 or higher position in the last 52 weeks to be eligible for the GS-5 grade level. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. 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. Selection Placement Factor: Selective placement factors are applied in the same manner as minimum qualification requirements. Relevant selective placement factor experience must be well documented in your resume. Failure to meet a selective placement factor will result in you not receiving further consideration. In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following selective placement factor: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. In additional to the above requirements, 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. 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. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing blood draws using a variety of techniques and tools; handling and processing lab samples correctly to ensure accurate results; providing phlebotomy services for both inpatients and outpatients; keeping patient information and records accurate; and clearly communicating with patients, including explaining procedures. OR, Education: 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 (such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc.). This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college, or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR, Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts required. Preferred Experience: One year of phlebotomy and/or specimen processing experience. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. 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/.
