Health Technician

Salary: $48,005.00 to $62,407.00 Per Year

The position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) at the Northport 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.

Major duties

Major duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Perform venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatients, and ambulatory inpatients Perform venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatients, and ambulatory inpatients Collects and processes specimens obtained for analyses; Performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory inpatient with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required resticks; Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards; Checks patients into the phlebotomy area taking care to follow protocol; Checks orders by looking into the computer 30 days before and after the date of arrival and ensures that only authorized medical personnel have requested tests; Generates labels to match the test requisition slips, the electronic request, and the patient's identification; Explains procedures to patients; Monitors and maintains all centrifuges and serofuges in the service; Receives and stores laboratory reagents and supplies; Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm) with rotating weekends Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD21269A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/16/2026. 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-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: performing both clerical and clinical duties in a medical/healthcare environment, such as: recording vital signs, collecting specimens, documenting medical records, answering and directing phone calls; and scheduling appointments. NOTE: This experience must be fully and clearly detailed in your resume to receive credit. 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. 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. (Transcripts 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 as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. (Transcripts required, and experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit). 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/.