This developmental Health Technician position is located within the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service (P&LMS). The incumbent performs a wide range of administrative functions which include compliance to CLIA and The Joint Commission regulations for laboratory testing, clerical and health technician functions, maintains continuity of functions, provides full medical administrative support and type of nursing assistant functions within the laboratory and administrative VA staff.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/24/2025. Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. OR Education and Training For GS-3: Successful completion of l year of study that included study in medical, health, or related fields. For GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position. For GS-5: 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 directly related to the position. In additions to meeting the IOR applicants you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: medical terminology, safe patient handling techniques, gathering information in patient care/family conferences and communicating effectively with a healthcare team, working knowledge of diagnostic signs, ability to communicate in verbal/written form with people at all levels in the agency, sufficient skill to identify and use equipment, drug terminology and supplies properly, isolation techniques and universal precautions, ability to apply theory and principles to perform tasks (i.e. abnormal blood pressure, skin breakdown, elevated temperature, etc.). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 directly related to the position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. To qualify based on a combination of specialized experience and education as described above, the percentage of required experience plus the percentage of required education equals 100%. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (When crediting education, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.) Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. GS-06 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: patient specimen collection and processing, accreditation compliance and record keeping, laboratory specimen testing and processing, knowledge of phlebotomy such as experience in phlebotomy techniques, drawing blood, ordering, receiving and accessing specimens (blood, urine, feces, assorted body fluids, etc.), experience in interviewing patients, recording histories, scheduling patients, counseling patients on preventive and independently performing phlebotomist duties and specimen collection, communication and customer service for patients and family members, administrative and professional staff. 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/.
As the Health Technician duties may include but are not limited to: Adjust equipment of laboratory testing, set up all necessary accessories and supplies regarding laboratory testing. Ensure proper cleaning and perform minor maintenance of laboratory equipment and adjust as needed. They must inform the Team of critical changes in testing status and lab values. Collect, label, process, store, and either ship specimens that require reference lab testing or deliver to laboratory area that performs tests that are outside of the Health tech scope of testing or not performed at our facilities. Monitors and documents temperature and humidity of room and equipment, refrigerators instruments etc. Receive patients for laboratory testing Processing orders and appointments and collecting specimens Maintains adequate quota of sterile and non-sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment and checks for outdated supplies/items. Other duties as assigned. Physical Demands: The work requires much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating equipment. The positions require the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the points aof care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. The incumbent may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics within the workweek, depending on the clinic workload. Work Environment: The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance of laboratory work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions. Environment may involve infectious diseases, contact with or disposal of body secretions, verbal and physical abuse from emotionally distraught individuals and/or working around equipment. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630 (rotating weekends) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: 14453A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized