Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)

Veterans Health Administration • Conroe, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Chief of Staff, Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Lufkin, Texas, and is affiliated with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) performs clinical and administrative functions in support of patient care.

The role includes collecting and preparing specimens, drawing blood by venipuncture, providing post-venipuncture care, and collecting blood cultures according to protocol. The technician prepares and verifies test orders and patient information in electronic systems, ensures specimen requirements and conditions are met, and may perform selected low-complexity tests or provide technical assistance to Medical Technologists.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may change based on facility needs. This is not a virtual position. The work is performed in a medical laboratory with routine exposure to patients, infectious materials, hazardous chemicals, and potential needle-stick risks. Protective gear and safety precautions are required. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program, or an approved medical or religious exemption, is a condition of employment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the Individual Occupational Requirement through qualifying technical medical laboratory support experience, qualifying laboratory-related education and training, or specified related biological laboratory technician work.
• Meet GS-4 qualifications through six months of specialized experience and six months of general experience, qualifying education, or a combination of experience and education.
• Specialized experience includes performing or assisting with blood collection; preparing, labeling, handling, or processing patient specimens; verifying patient identification and following specimen-collection procedures; maintaining or retrieving patient or laboratory information in electronic systems; and communicating with patients or healthcare personnel.
• Alternatively, qualify through two years of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Submit transcripts if qualifying based in whole or in part on education.
• Complete the required application steps and online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment urinalysis, background and security investigation, and online onboarding.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption; employees with an exemption must wear a face mask.
• The work involves extensive and recurring standing, bending, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching, as well as manual dexterity and sustained concentration.
• Use required protective clothing or gear, such as masks, gowns, coats, goggles, gloves, or shields.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety, infection-control, and universal precautions while collecting specimens; keep the work area clean and free of hazards.
• Collect all types of specimens in a courteous manner.
• Apply knowledge of laboratory tests and specimen properties to ensure specimens are suitable for accurate testing or examination.
• Perform selected low-complexity tests and provide technical support to Medical Technologists, as needed.
• Prepare test orders, including manual order entry and extracting patient data from the electronic health information system.
• Verify the accuracy and completeness of test requests, specimen requirements, and specimen conditions in the computer.
• Draw blood by venipuncture for a variety of test procedures and provide appropriate post-venipuncture care.
• Collect blood cultures using proper protocols to avoid skin contamination.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree