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Summary This position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to work as phlebotomy support for both in- and outpatients at Loch Raven VA Medical Center. They perform work in a clinical laboratory providing a range of diagnostic functions to include blood collection procedures, receipt and accessioning of clinical specimens, assisting patients and specimen preparation and delivery to clinical areas. The incumbent will be required to work weekends and holidays on a fair and equitable rotation basis. Responsibilities Duties may include: Performs venipunctures on outpatients & inpatients by correctly identifying patients as to name, social security number, etc., selecting appropriate collection devices (i.e., proper collection tube, appropriate anticoagulant, etc.) and taking any necessary precautions in specimen preparation (i.e., protect carotenes from light, place ammonias in ice, etc.). Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood. Must be proficient in the area of phlebotomy, being able to draw all but the most difficult patients and follows proper procedures for redrawing blood. In addition, the incumbent must develop the essential speed required to complete the blood drawing duties. Independently determines the need and initiates a Medical Emergency, Code Blue and/or Code Green for a violent patient. In the event of a Medical Emergency or Code Blue, the phlebotomist administers initial intervention until specialized assistance arrives on the scene. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn. Instruct patients in proper procedure for 24 hour urine collection. Collects urine specimens. Prepares specimens and accessions clinical specimens for analysis in the clinical laboratory using the appropriate CERNER and/or VISTA options. Actively receives and accessions appropriate orders for laboratory testing. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action. Establishes priorities for emergency orders. Notifies technologists of impending work. Receives specimens for testing into the laboratory. Verifies sample collection, patient identification, and sample transport requirements for all laboratory tests. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies, which may cause erroneous test results. Notifies technologists of any issues that may adversely affect analysis. Receives all specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratories for testing. The individual must be knowledgeable about the specimen requirement for each reference laboratory test and the test ordering procedures for each of the reference laboratories. Verifies proper patient preparation, specimen collection, and specimen transport requirements for all reference laboratory tests. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous test results. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems. Distributes specimens to laboratory section in which requested tests are performed. Collects and washes laboratory glassware and returns clean glassware to appropriate storage areas. Is responsible for operation of glassware washer and drying oven. Operates centrifuges and other minor equipment within the laboratory for specimen processing and delivery to testing areas. Performs initial setup of testing procedures such as the inoculation of microbiology plates as specified by policy and training. Performs chain of custody drug collections as specified by training and procedural requirements. Performs duties the reference "send-out" section of the laboratory. Duties include processing of specimens and ensuring all acceptability requirements of specimens and tests are met. This include appropriate storage, collection, processing and timeliness parameters are met. Answers incoming calls for the lab. Quickly finds and relays accurate information or refers the caller to technical personnel. Performs disposition of add-on orders. Maintains and files laboratory reports. Shreds patient sensitive documents when appropriate. Maintains, copies, and distributes worksheets to appropriate areas. Maintains adequate supplies (tubes, needles, syringes, alcohol, labels, etc.) in the outpatient phlebotomy rooms, collection carts, and collection baskets. Assumes responsibility for the cleanliness and professional appearance of the area. Maintains general appearance of AECCC by cleaning and by the storing of supplies. Stores, records and organizes general laboratory supplies and materials in an efficient manner. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician - Phlebotomist/PD512-25579-A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 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 dentification 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 or trial 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 all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/14/2025. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: You must meet the individual occupational requirements (IOR) for the Medical Technician, 0645 as follows: Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) 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: 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. In addition to meeting the Individual Occupation Requirement above: GS-4 Medical Technician Requirements Experience: You must have 6 months of general experience, and 6 months of specialized experience. Examples of experience would typically include, but are not limited to; Knowledge of approved venipuncture specimen collection techniques and laboratory test requirements, knowledge of processing and storage requirements and procedures for laboratory specimens, knowledge of patient identification methods, and knowledge and technical skill to perform patient testing and quality control procedures, verify the accuracy of results obtained and reporting results as required by policy. OR, Education: 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have possess 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. Note: At grades GS-4 and above, a portion of the education is usually directly related to the work of the position to be filled. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a high school diploma.(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The physical demands are primarily standing and walking, but also some bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: The work environment involves regular and recurrent exposure to moderate risks or discomforts typically associated with performing phlebotomy on patients, requiring special safety precautions. 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 "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through [insert date]. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.