Health Technician

Full Job Description

The Health Technician is assigned to Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Western New York Healthcare System.

The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of lab functions including but not limited to: accession specimens into computer system, collect patient specimens (phlebotomy), answer questions relative to patient specimens, instruct and assist patients, process specimens, and perform waived testing such as fingerstick glucose testing.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): 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-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.

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 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; documenting medical records.

This experience must be 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. Preferred Experience: Inpatient and Outpatient Phlebotomy 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 Duties:

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Performs a range of diagnostic laboratory support duties such as collection and labeling of specimens for the laboratory.

Performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens and collection/acceptance of other body fluid such as urine or sputum.

Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples. Ensures and verifies correct labeling and patient identification. Records test time and intervals as appropriate.

Processes and assures proper storage of specimens. Performs limited waived testing such fingerstick glucose testing.

Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing testing. Assists in the training of new employees on specimen collection procedures.

Uses hospital computer system to perform routine work such as, reviewing and accepting lab orders, entering test results and gathering information required to complete assigned duties.

Performs routine or repetitive work in a laboratory setting. The work requires a basic familiarity with overall function of the laboratory.

Receives and Directs Patients Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care and educating patients on pre-testing and post-testing activities.

Assists patients, visitors and others requesting Information, guidance or referral for special assistance.

Receives and directs patients, instructs patients in the proper collection of specimens such as midstream urine collection, 24-hour urine collection, collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, etc.

When performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens instructs patient in procedure to be followed prior to, during and after the test in order to obtain specimens at the required time.

Control Records and Document Test Results Performs administrative tasks such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken.

Assists in writing and revising standard operating procedures relative to job performance. Receives and accessions requests for testing into the laboratory computer system.

Functions as a resource person. for other non-laboratory personnel on specimen collection requirements and patient preparation for any lab request. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of requests.

Interacts with hospital/ clinic personnel to correct 'discrepancies. Recognizes emergent situations and take necessary action. Establishes priorities for emergent orders.

Notifies technologists of impending work. Maintains records for routine patient tests or laboratory transactions.

Verifies sample transport requirements for a variety of laboratory tests, including cultures, biopsies, etc.

Adheres to special instructions, such as transport on ice, deliver immediately, protect from light, etc. Obtains and provides basic test information for patient and caregivers.

Verifies laboratory orders, clarifies unusual requests with initiating provider. Provides basic patient education on pre-testing and post" procedure patient activities.

Verifies identifiers such as patient identification, time of sample, type of test requested: Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies, which may cause erroneous test results.

Enters data in control records. Monitors transmission to testing laboratory and receipt of results. Positions Patient for Procedues Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures.

Performs blood­ drawing duties in a courteous manner. Makes the patient feel as comfortable as possible. Explains procedures and properly positions patients for standard procedures.

Maintenance Duties Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment, controls supplies and maintains and controls laboratory records.

Maintains the blood drawing area, including the replacement of supplies as needed. Determines that no outdated reagents, tubes, etc., are left on the shelves.

Ensures the proper rotation of reagents for proper usage by expiration date.

Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Hours vary from 5:00am to 5:00pm weekdays and weekends Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD09299A