About this role
Job SummaryThe position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and Clinics in the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service (PMLS). The multi-skilled Health Technician performs a wide range of administrative functions which includes compliance to CUA regulations for laboratory testing, clerical, and health tech functions.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/26/2026. Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640 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 ADDITION to meeting the IOR Requirement the Health Technician 0640 Series requires Specialized Experience to be met as well. 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-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: performing both clerical and clinical duties in a medical/healthcare environment; answering and directing phone calls; scheduling appointments; documenting medical records; taking and recording vital signs; and collecting and labeling specimens. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed one-half year of GRADUATE level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position and is directly related to the work of the position. 9 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one-half year of full-time study requirement. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education at the graduate level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of previous phlebotomy and specimen receiving experience. 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/.
Major DutiesMajor duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Receives patients for medical laboratory testing. Processes orders and appointment, collects specimens and evaluates tests for processing determination. Performs patients care procedures such as collection of lab specimens, applying dressings, and adjusting simple supportive equipment. Contacts providers to correct order errors and to place orders if a patient arrives with no orders in the system. Follows proper patient preparations and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandage patient appropriately following collection. 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 Technician scope of testing or not performed at our facilities. Monitor the patient's status and inform the provider of critical changes in health status and lab values. Organizes work so that efficiency is paramount and work area is neat, tidy and meets all regulatory requirements for sanitization required for laboratory certification. Monitors and documents temperature and humidity of room and equipment, refrigerators, instruments, etc. Responsible for all point of care laboratory testing which includes Urinalysis, Pregnancy Testing, Hemoglobin A1C, stool Hema cults, Rapid Strep, Rapid Flu and finger stick blood glucose. Ensure that all quality control materials are run and acceptable daily or as required by regulations. Ensure proper cleaning and perform minor maintenance of laboratory equipment and make adjustments as needed. Make adjustments to equipment of laboratory testing, set up all necessary accessories and supplies regarding laboratory testing and assist with minor surgical procedures. Run any proficiency specimens correctly and within required timeframe. Performs daily, monthly maintenance as required and documents such appropriately. Processes tissue cultures and specimen samples related to pathology testing which require difficult specialized procedures, specifically dermatological procedures (assists with pathology paperwork and specimen collection, transport, and proper labeling). Assists the ATC in the supervision of clinical staff including training and competency assessments. Maintains continuity of functions and provides full medical administrate support and nursing assistant functions within the clinic to both clinical, laboratory, and administrative VA staff. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 12:00pm - 8:30pm. Occasional weekend coverage and holiday rotations may be required. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD13888A Physical Requirements: The work requires much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office 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 point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. 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.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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.