About this role
Job SummaryThe position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) at the Hudson Valley VA Health Care System. The incumbent performs a variety of functions including: accessioning specimens into the computer system, collects, evaluates and processes patient specimens, answers questions relative to patient specimens, instructs and assists patients, and processes send-out specimens for testing.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/24/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Minimum Requirements: Specialized Experience: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. 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. Specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Understanding policies and procedures as related to patient care; Performing phlebotomy techniques, procedures and other specimen collection procedures; Setting up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures; Instructing patients in the proper procedures to follow prior, during and after test; preparing referral specimens for shipment; Performing all clerical duties; Maintaining records of procedures. NOTE: Such experience MUST be well represented in resume. Failure to do so will results in a Non-Qualification Determination. ~OR~ Education: Must have successfully completed 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. NOTE: Transcripts required. ~OR~ Combination: I have equivalent combinations of education and specialized experience as described above 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. NOTE: 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/.
Major DutiesPerforms Diagnostic Procedures: Incumbent collects and processes specimens obtained for analyses throughout P&LMS and associated reference laboratories, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patients and the quality of the specimen. The incumbent performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatients, outpatients, and urgent room when needed. Collections should be completed with a minimal number of failures, bruising or re-sticks, and ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. The use of a syringe or butterfly needle may be required in obtaining difficult specimens. During collection procedures, the incumbent makes gross visual observation and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, notifying appropriate emergency personnel as needed. Patient Care: He/she secures the confidence and cooperation of patient during phlebotomy, explains procedure, and positions patients for desired results. Special attention should be given to explaining any post phlebotomy procedure that may be needed, such as applying extra pressure and leaving bandage in place for an extended period of time to patients on blood thinners, and address any concerns from the patient. Clerical Support/ Coordination: Navigate through the procedure of checking patients into the phlebotomy area, taking care to follow protocol. This includes checking 2 forms of ID, logging patients in, and accessioning into the computer for the proper labels. These duties will be performed in a friendly, courteous manner utilizing appropriate customer service skills. The patient's correct identification (two different types) must always be established prior to obtaining any specimen. Generated labels must match the test requisition slips or the electronic request, and the patient's identification. All specimens must be properly labeled in front of patient. Specimen Processing, Send Outs, Employee Urine Drug Screen Collection: Receives and sorts specimens collected from inpatients, outpatients, and all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's), checks request slips for proper information, logs in specimen, and delivers specimens to various laboratory sections. The incumbent also operates centrifuges, reporting any malfunction the to Supervisor, as needed. He/she evaluates temperature requirements of specimen refrigerators on the wards as needed. Processes specimens for send out to reference laboratories by centrifuging, separating, storing specimens at the appropriate temperature, and creates appropriate manifests for specimen being sent out. Collects employee urine drug screens as scheduled or requested by Human Resources. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Day Tour 7am-3:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD08049A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 identification 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 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.