Health Technician (Phlebotomist)

Summary The position is in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System VA Health Care System in the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service located in Muskogee, OK. The multi-skilled Health Technician performs a wide range of administrative functions which include compliance to CLIA and The Joint Commission regulations for laboratory testing, clerical and health technician functions. Learn more about this agency Duties Operate guidelines to determine technical factors, sets controls, calibrates, and operates equipment and instruments such as occult blood analyzer Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor maintenance of laboratory equipment and adjust as needed. Responsible for maintaining records for point of care testing and maintenance on laboratory machines. Accepts patient orders, prints labels, selects proper tubes and containers, PPE, labels specimens with all required information in front of the patient; collects blood following proper tube collection or and without contamination. Determines the correct handling environment for each specimen submitted for referral laboratory testing and performs processing procedures which may be difficult, complex or non-standardized and may involve delicate and exacting steps working with specimens that may be irreplaceable such as tumor biopsy or aspirate. Ensures fire, safety, disaster and infection control procedures are implemented by staff; utilizes protective and supportive devices which comply with Personal Protective Equipment Infection Control Standards. Processes tissue cultures and specimen samples related to pathology testing which require difficult specialized procedures. Instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures to ensure specimens are acceptable for testing. Prepares specimens to be sent to outside laboratories, including reference and sharing laboratories, for testing not done at this laboratory; assures the proper specimen was collected, records in the send-out book, puts specimen in the proper receptacle, packages specimen to maintain the correct temperature during shipping, completes and checks paperwork, and sends specimen to the correct laboratory. Answers telephone calls, and coordinates information and actions relating to patient care and services; assists patients, visitors, and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Works cooperatively with a variety of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, always portraying a positive image and providing satisfactory customer service. Uses courtesy and sound business etiquette in all interactions, whether interpersonal telephonic. Performs patient care procedures such as collection of lab specimens, applying dressings, and adjusting simple supportive equipment. Prepare patient for blood or collection according to College of American Pathologists(CAP) and The Joint Commission(TJC guidelines; follows proper patient preparation and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandage patient appropriately following collection. Performs patient care procedures such as collection of lab specimens, the proper collection and handling of various specimens including venous blood. Instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures to ensure specimens are acceptable for testing Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm) rotating weekends, and holidays Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD14453A and PD14531A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of employment You 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 Subject to pre-placement physical examination 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 dentification 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/13/2026. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): The Health Technician, 0640 has a minimum qualification entry requirement. From the descriptions below, please identify how you meet the minimum qualifications for the Health Technician position. 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. OR, Education: 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 the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also meet the following grade requirements as outlined below: You may qualify for the GS-5 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-05: 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: Performs patient care procedures such as venipuncture; specimen collection, and dressing application; Responsible for maintaining records for point of care testing and maintenance on laboratory machines; Accepts patient orders, prints labels, selects proper tubes and containers, PPE, labels specimens with all required information in front of the patient; collects specimens following proper tube collection or and without contamination; Performs proper sterilization techniques and minor maintenance of laboratory equipment; Cooperatively works with a variety of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, always portraying a positive image and providing satisfactory customer service. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have A bachelor's degree or four (4) years of education above the high school level 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. (Transcripts required). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond successful completion post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. (Transcripts required). You may qualify for the GS-6 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-06: 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: Performs patient care procedures such as venipuncture; specimen collection, and dressing application; Responsible for maintaining records for point of care testing and maintenance on laboratory machines; Accepts patient orders, prints labels, selects proper tubes and containers, PPE, labels specimens with all required information in front of the patient; collects specimens following proper tube collection or and without contamination; Performs proper sterilization techniques and minor maintenance of laboratory equipment; Cooperatively works with a variety of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, always portraying a positive image and providing satisfactory customer service. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Six months of graduate level education related to the position can be substituted for specialized experience. 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. (Transcripts required). 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/. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: 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 incumbent may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics within the workweek, depending on the clinic workload. The work environment involve risk typically associated with performance of laboratory work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautious. 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. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.