Medical Technician (Phlebotomy)

Veterans Health Administration • Aurora, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Technician works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, in Aurora, Colorado. The position performs routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology to support a medical laboratory. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

The technician handles clinical specimens from receipt through testing and reporting, performs laboratory analyses, evaluates results, and follows established procedures for confirming abnormal findings. The role also involves maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies, supporting safety and quality assurance activities, and assisting with training. The schedule is compressed/flexible. Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular and extended hours when service needs require, and may be placed, detailed, or temporarily assigned to related services or locations.

Applicants must meet the position’s qualification requirements at the applicable grade level and have experience performing phlebotomy or blood draws on human patients. Candidates must also be proficient in basic written and spoken English. The position requires U.S. citizenship, pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a one-year probationary period. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized; a Critical Skills Incentive is not approved.

Requirements

• Experience performing phlebotomy or blood draws on human patients (selective placement factor).
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship.
• For GS-5: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4 in technical medical laboratory support or a closely related field; or a four-year bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in appropriate subjects; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GS-6: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 performing technical medical laboratory support, including laboratory tests and examinations and preparation of findings, or related technical support work. Experience may include collecting and processing patient specimens, clerical support, and preparing samples while verifying labeling and patient identification.
• For GS-6, education may substitute for experience: at least one-half year of graduate-level education (9 semester hours beyond a bachelor's degree) or a relevant internship; or an equivalent combination of relevant graduate education and specialized experience.
• Submit transcripts if qualifying based wholly or partly on education.
• Willingness to work weekends, irregular work hours, and extended hours when required by service needs.
• Willingness to be placed, detailed, or temporarily assigned to related services or locations as needed.
• Complete the required application steps and online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis drug screening, background/security investigation, and online onboarding; participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and specialized laboratory testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology.
• Use laboratory instruments and equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, and balances, to test and analyze body fluids and other substances.
• Receive, collect, sort, record, store, and ship clinical laboratory specimens.
• Obtain additional information from healthcare providers as needed.
• Maintain a clean and safe laboratory and calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Monitor specimens, equipment, and the laboratory for acceptability.
• Maintain adequate supplies of reagents, standards, and controls, and prepare them as needed.
• Recommend procedural changes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety.
• Establish and maintain inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and schedules.
• Assist in training personnel and students in laboratory procedures and safety.
• Serve as a point of contact for safety regulations and safe working conditions, and report conditions and progress in addressing discrepancies to the supervisor.
• Accept and document patient specimens using the designated computer system.
• Process specimens and select appropriate procedures based on specimen type, patient information, and laboratory resources.
• Report specimen problems according to established guidelines.
• Perform laboratory tests requiring fine distinctions in analytical methods.
• Enter test results into the hospital computer system and verify their accuracy, completeness, and validity.
• Evaluate data validity in relation to the test system and assay procedures.
• Correlate and integrate information and perform additional testing to confirm abnormal results in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Participate in quality assurance activities.
• Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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