The Primary Purpose of the Position: The Health Care Technician/Patient Care Technician (HCT/PCT) is responsible for the collection and processing of specimens from patients admitted to the Unit The Organizational Location of the position: The Health Care Technician works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and is directly accountable to the Nurse Manager of the Unit. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/19/2025. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Health Technician requires the Individual Occupational Requirements be met Individual Occupational Requirement: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Along with meeting the above Individual Occupational Requirements above, the following specialized experience is required: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Initiates patient care such as collection of laboratory specimens (blood, urine, and stool); documents in clinical record; promotes infection prevention control such as hand washing, wiping down exam tables or equipment in between patients; provides emergency care such as but not limited to: vital signs, patient condition, pain level and recognizes abnormal findings and reports to Charge Nurse.. Preferred Experience: 1. Minimum 6 months full-time phlebotomy experience 2. Minimum 6 months in processing lab specimens 3. Minimum 6 months in Knowledge of basic medical equipment (centrifuge, temp monitoring) 4. Minimum 6 months in Preferred phlebotomy certification ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathology) or NCHA (National College of Healthcare Assessment) 5. VA Experience You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Diagnostic Medical Testing Infection Control Specimen Collection Accountability Emergency Care Physical Requirements: The work on the Unit requires some physical exertion. The Technician must be able to transport patients by wheelchair or stretcher, patients who require observation or monitoring. The duties require extensive periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. It involves positioning patients and transferring patients to wheelchairs, chairs, and stretchers. The Technician must demonstrate some agility and dexterity to perform phlebotomy, IV therapy, laboratory procedures, and EKGs. The Technician must be able to work 8-12 hour shifts. Technicians must have the ability to function in stressful situations. 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/.
Duties include but not limited to: Collection of laboratory specimens (blood, urine, and stool). Processing of specimens by centrifuge to separate plasma and serum. Separation of specimens into correct tubes for transportation to various labs. Performs D- Sticks for Metabolic studies. Obtains timely and appropriate blood samples as ordered per unit policies and procedures. Recognize abnormal lab values and reports to Charge Nurse and Physician. Exercises sound judgment to identify patient care needs, implement treatment protocols and collect pertinent data. Directs and supports patients in the implementation of unit protocols, treatment goals and provides input into the treatment and discharge plan. Instructs patients on their role in various procedures and metabolic protocols covering information previously discussed with the patient by the Physician or RN. Reviews current treatment plan, CPRS records on assigned patients prior to initiation of any procedures or protocols, to ensure quality care. Documents in the clinical record the patient's progress toward protocols, medical treatment needs and interventions; discharge planning and referral data. Collects objective & subjective data pre-, intra-, and post-procedure and protocol, including vital signs, patient condition, pain level and recognizes abnormal findings and reports to Charge Nurse. Assumes responsibility for the transportation of patients to and from various procedures and the supervision of patients and loggers. Is responsible for the care and comfort of all Unit patients. Takes patient's vital signs and weight, responds to emergencies and has a thorough knowledge of unit and Nursing Service policies and procedures. Performs EKGs on assigned, stat and routine basis. Appropriately processes completed EKGs according to the EKG Department policy. Assures that the equipment is in clean and working order, reporting any malfunction. Cleans unit equipment, chairs and stretchers between patients and at the end of the shift. Observes adequate functioning of unit equipment. Responds to alarm conditions, troubleshoots and reports problems to Charge Nurse or Research Technician. Assists Registered Nurse and/or Physician with minor procedures on the unit. Work Schedule: Day Shift 6:30a.m. - 3:00p.m. May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require. Should operational needs dictate, candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community based outpatient clinics, for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD5022A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized