Health Technician

Full Job Description

The Health Care Technician is responsible for the collection and processing of specimens from patients admitted to the Unit.

Incumbent works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and is directly accountable to the Nurse Manager of the Unit.

The Position is located in VA North Texas Health Care System, Nursing Service, Patient Care Section, Plano, TX.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/03/2026. This occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR).

An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series.

The Individual Occupational Requirement for the Health Technician position is: Specialized Experience: 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.

In addition to meeting the IOR above, you must meet the experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Initiates patient care such as collection of laboratory specimens (blood, urine, and stool); utilizing an automated system to maintain and retrieve patient data; knowledge of of aseptic techniques and infection control procedures; provides care such as but not limited to vital signs, patient condition, pain level and recognizes abnormal findings and reports to Charge Nurse.

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:

Major Duties: Incumbent is a participant of the outpatient clinic, who performs and/or assists with daily tasks including but not limited to: Collection of laboratory specimens (blood, urine, and stool).

Processing of specimens by centrifuge to separate plasma and serum. Separation of specimens into correct tubes for transportation to various labs. Performs D- Sticks for Metabolic studies.

Obtains timely and appropriate blood samples as ordered per unit policies and procedures. Recognize abnormal lab values and reports to Charge Nurse and Physician.

Exercises sound judgment to identify patient care needs, implement treatment protocols and collect pertinent data.

Directs and supports patients in the implementation of unit protocols, treatment goals and provides input into the treatment and discharge plan.

Instructs patients on their role in various procedures and metabolic protocols covering information previously discussed with the patient by the Physician or RN.

Reviews current treatment plan, CPRS records on assigned patients prior to initiation of any procedures or protocols, to ensure quality care.

Documents in the clinical record the patient's progress toward protocols, medical treatment needs and interventions; discharge planning and referral data.

Other duties include: Obtain venous blood samples by aseptic venipuncture technique from patients in the Outpatient Clinic Proficiently collects blood samples with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required resticks.

The patient's correct identification (full name and full social) must always be established before obtaining any specimen. Verifies patient information and tests ordered in the computer system.

Specimens must be properly labeled and initiated, following specimen procurement policies and procedures.

Performs a range of support duties to include obtaining specimens, including, but not limited to, blood (phlebotomy), urine, feces, nasopharyngeal swabs, fecal occult blood specimens (FOBT kit).

Performs the processing of all clinical laboratory specimens and is responsible for the timely and proper distribution of specimens to the reference laboratories to include centrifuges, decants, and aliquots specimens as appropriate.

Responsible for proper disposition of laboratory waste in the laboratory. Packages supplies and specimens for pick up or shipment, following established packaging requirements.

Careful consideration of proper storage temperatures and the viability of the specimens are critical.

Obtains and documents patients' vital signs, 12 Lead ECGs and reports abnormal findings to PACT team members. Moves, lifts, transfers, and transports patients as necessary.

Knowledge of pain scale monitoring Incumbent is also responsible for monitoring technical equipment and performing maintenance and quality assurance on instrumentation.

Incumbent also monitors lab environment: such as temperatures, freezers, refrigerators and incubators to ensure that they are working as expected.

Incumbent has a general knowledge of Laboratory accreditation requirements that are recommended by CAP, FDA and Joint Commission.

Performs ancillary testing such as CLIA waived testing and operates instrumentation necessary for testing. Completes eyewash station testing. Performs urine pregnancy testing to include controls.

Perform quality control (QC) on glucose testing machine. Is supportive of the Healthcare System's Mission and Goals.

The incumbent must possess the ability to work with all levels of healthcare system personnel and willing to assist the healthcare system staff with a variety of laboratory policies and procedures.

The incumbent will have contact with veteran patients, family members, all levels of NTX staff including physicians, nurses, technicians, etc.

The employee must be able to effectively interact with personnel at all levels of the facility and foster harmonious working relationships, and is expected to maintain an attitude of professionalism, courtesy, cooperation, and respect towards all contacts.

Patient/family teaching Electronic documentation Basic computer knowledge Work Schedule: Monday - Friday. 7:30am - 4:00pm .

May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require.

Should operational needs dictate, candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community based outpatient clinics, for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD05022A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized