Lead Medical Technician-Phlebotomist

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Smith, AR

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Medical Technician (Lead Phlebotomist) works at the Fort Smith Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas, within the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. The role oversees phlebotomy support for inpatients and outpatients and performs phlebotomy, specimen accessioning, and related procedures to ensure specimens are properly received, handled, and processed for accurate, reliable results.

The position performs blood and urine collection, processes and evaluates specimens, prepares electronic requisitions and samples for testing or referral, and uses laboratory information systems and related office technology. It also provides collection instructions to patients, monitors patient condition during procedures, responds initially to emergencies, and maintains quality-control records while following infection-control and safety procedures.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the schedule may change based on facility needs. It is not a virtual position. The work involves regular, extended periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting; assisting with lifting equipment or patients may be required. The work also requires above-average dexterity, and the duration of activities over much of the workday contributes to the physical demands.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the Individual Occupational Requirement through qualifying technical medical laboratory support experience, technical support work in a closely related field, or a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in appropriate subjects.
• For the GS-05 grade, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 or higher, qualifying education, or a qualifying combination of experience and education.
• Specialized experience may include performing venipuncture, training and orienting new employees, maintaining laboratory supplies, and processing specimens.
• If qualifying through education, have a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation; submit transcripts.
• Experience performing phlebotomy or blood draws on human patients.
• Complete all required application steps, including the online assessment.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; effective May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state identification cards cannot be used as acceptable employment identification.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel requirement.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Submit transcripts if education is used to qualify; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Oversee phlebotomy support for inpatients and outpatients.
• Perform blood collection using vacutainer systems, syringes, butterfly needles, and capillary finger sticks.
• Collect blood using the correct container and order of draw, and collect urine specimens and cultures in a way that preserves sample integrity.
• Follow protocols for specialty blood draws and process routine and emergency specimens in a timely manner.
• Evaluate specimen suitability and prepare electronic requisitions for samples sent to reference laboratories.
• Use computers to retrieve laboratory test information and perform computerized accessioning of patient specimens.
• Identify patients with laboratory orders and print labels for the appropriate blood samples.
• Use information technology and office equipment, including computers, printers, label printers, copy machines, phones, fax machines, and computer information packages.
• Educate patients on proper collection techniques for urine, stool, and other fluids.
• Interact courteously, helpfully, respectfully, and compassionately with patients, visitors, staff, students, and volunteers; respond to service requests and handle conflicts constructively.
• Verify patient identity and ensure appropriate sample collection and specimen labeling.
• Assess patient condition before, during, and after procedures; provide initial intervention in an emergency; and observe and report physical or mental changes during blood draws.
• Prepare samples for testing through labeling, centrifugation, decanting, and aliquoting.
• Sterilize and autoclave contaminated materials and clean glassware and other reusable items according to established policies and procedures.
• Follow universal precautions, infection-control requirements, and safety regulations associated with phlebotomy.
• Maintain operational and quality-control logs, records, and worksheets.
• Identify unusual test results, discrepancies, or conditions that may lead to erroneous results.
• Train and orient new employees and maintain laboratory supplies, as listed among qualifying experience.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may grant newly appointed federal employees credit for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval must occur before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level