Medical Technician-Phlebotomy and Processing

About the company

The incumbent serves in the Phlebotomy and Processing section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. The position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for both inpatients and outpatients at the Amarillo VA HealthCare System.

Your tasks

The position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for both inpatients and outpatients at the Amarillo VA HealthCare System. The incumbent will perform a variety of specimen collection, processing, and testing related functions coordinating the general flow of specimens from phlebotomy to the individual sections (i.e. Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, etc.) to ensure accurate, reliable laboratory results. The incumbent will be required to work weekends and holidays on a fair and equitable rotation basis. Accessioning and Processing Duties The majority of the incumbent's day will be spent performing routine venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatients, Community Living Center patients, Community Based Outpatient Centers, and Emergency Room patients. The incumbent will be required to proficiently collect this blood samples with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required resticks, and ensure that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. Receives all requests for testing into the laboratory computer package. Verifies th.e accuracy and completeness of the request. Interacts with hospital personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action. The incumbent is also be required to receive and sort specimens, check request slips or shipping documents for proper information, log in specimen, and deliver specimens to various laboratory sections. Verifies sample transport requirements for a variety of laboratory tests, including cultures, biopies, etc. The incumbent may also be assigned to technical support tasks that include, but are not limited to: Preparation of samples for testing in the various clinical laboratory sections, such as labeling, centrifugation, decanting, allocating, etc. Distribution, storage and delivery of supplies and other materials used for the purpose of phlebotomy services. Cleaning and restocking the blood collection room and areas where collection trays and equipment is stored. Receiving phlebotomy requests utilizing both manual and computerized logging methods. Recollection of patient specimens when determined by the medical technologists to be inadequate or insufficient to meet the test requirements. Collection of additional samples as required for the purpose of performing additional requested testing. Phlebotomy Duties: The incumbent instructs patients in proper sterile and non-sterile urine collections, 24-hour urine collection, collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, ova and parasite, occult blood and special specimen collections for flu, DNA testing, environmental surveillance, urine drug screens, etc. Upon completion of collection measures and records urine volume and properly stores the sample for analysis. Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards. Blood sample collection must be performed in the manner described by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) as well as the written guidelines of P&LMS. Assists in writing and revising standard operating procedures relative to job performance. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with agency requirements. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems. Ensures the lab blood collection lists are called up at the correct times and reconciles any uncollected orders. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while the patient is having blood drawn. Follows hospital and section procedures when dealing with outpatient medical emergencies. Processes all specimens per strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Clerical Duties: The incumbent answers incoming calls for Laboratory Services. Quickly finds and relays accurate information or refers the caller to technical personnel. Provides information to patients on the date/time of appointments and clinic locations. Informs patient on venipuncture procedure, securing the confidence and the cooperation of the patient during the procedure. Work Schedule: Thursday-Sunday 6:00pm to 4:30am Compressed: Yes Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician-Phlebotomy and Processing/PD02036A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, walking, stooping, sitting, and stretching. The incumbent must have the digital dexterity and adequate vision to perform safe venipuncture procedures. Lifting will not exceed a weight of 1 O pounds. The incumbent must fully utilize all safety practice and equipment provided by the medical center, and in compliance with local and accrediting agency requirements.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026. This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Experience: Six months of general experience and six months of specialized Experience (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: 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 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. (Transcript Required) Or Combining Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are also qualifying. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (Transcript Required) 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/.

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/. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 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.