Medical Technician

Full Job Description

This position serves in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services at John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, MI.

This position is assigned to provide phlebotomy support for both in- and outpatients at John D. Dingell VAMC and patients at the CBOC Clinics, Domicile, and in-patient Nursing home facility.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/20/2026.

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-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: (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.

At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations.

The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you 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 appropriate to the position to be filled.

(Transcripts must be submitted at time of application). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above.

Note: only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience.

(Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position.

Applicants must have experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients You may be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Technical Competence - Knowledge of how to perform one's job.

Refers to specialized knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience.

Diagnostic Medical Testing - Uses proper clinical procedures to perform medical tests (electrocardiography, pulmonary function testing, urinalysis, hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, etc.); measures and records vital statistics or other health information; adheres to quality and infection control protocols.

Analytical Reasoning - Identifies issues and analyzes information to draw accurate conclusions, ensuring careful attention to detail.

Dissects problems and information into their meaningful parts and uses logic and judgment to evaluate alternatives and develop solutions.

Clerical - Knowledge of filing, typing, entering data, maintaining records, taking shorthand, and using and completing forms.

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 Demands and Work Environment: - The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 40 pounds.

In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the arduous nature of the job.

There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or good color vision.

The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions.

Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear. Work areas must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion.

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:

The Medical Technician performs both routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology in support of a medical laboratory.

Major duties and responsibilities will include: Using microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, and instruments to perform laboratory tests and analyze body fluids and other substances to determine the presence or absence of disease or other abnormal conditions; Receiving, collecting, sorting, recording, storing and/or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing/diagnostic procedures can be performed; Obtaining additional data or information from healthcare providers as needed; Maintaining the laboratory and equipment in a clean and safe condition; Calibrating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation and equipment; Monitoring specimens, equipment, and laboratory for acceptability; Ensuring that sufficient supply of reagents, standards, and controls, are available at all times; and preparing reagents, controls, etc.; Recommending changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accurately, and safety; Establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintaining appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules; Assisting in training personnel and/or students in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety; Functioning as a point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to the supervisory to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies; Accepting/documenting incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system; Processing specimens and selecting appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimens, patient information, and laboratory resources; Reporting all specimen problems according to established guidelines; Performing a variety of laboratory tests, both new and established that involve very fine distinctions in analytical methods; Entering test results into hospital computer system, verifying the accuracy, completeness, and validity; Evaluating the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures; Correlating and integrating information and performing additional testing to confirm abnormal results as per policies and procedures; Participating in quality assurance activities; Performing related duties as required.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday, 06:00am-2:30pm; 06:45am-3:15pm; 07:00am-03:30pm; 8:00am-4:30pm; Rotating Weekends and Holidays.

Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the service.

Furthermore, candidates must be willing to be placed, detailed, or temporarily assigned to other related services and/or locations, if necessary.

Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD911960 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized