Summary

The position is located in the Veterans Health Administration - Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) Integrated Clinical Facilities. Responsible for both routine and specialized work; evaluate - interpret - correlate and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Work is performed in a variety of laboratory disciplines; phlebotomy - reference laboratory specimens - hematology - coagulation - chemistry - limited microbiology and urinalysis.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/22/2025. Individual Occupational Requirements: For positions at GS-4 and above: (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. or For GS-5: 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 appropriate to the position to be filled. 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-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: directing and monitoring overall workflow of specimen processing areas; coordinating training for lab safety - data entry - specimen collection - processing - and shipping; knowledge of testing methodologies used in the clinical laboratory and is familiar with the different type of instrumentation used; ability to maintain liaison with reference laboratories and ensures all reference tests are collected - professed and shipped correctly; and ability to resolve problems and discrepancies concerning patient or specimen identification - lost or improperly drawn specimens - and takes appropriate action to resolve the problem. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to this occupation. 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 high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to this occupation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Diagnostic Medical Testing Leadership Oral Communication Reading Comprehension Specimen Collection 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 Requirements: Physical exertion - such as regular and recurring walking - standing - and bending - lifting up to 30 pounds are required. The work requires the use of microscopes - computers - and other equipment that may cause eyestrain. The use of a computer requires good tactile sensitivity and typing skills. In many situations the duration of the activity such as most of a workday contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. 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/.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Operates - calibrates and runs quality controls for all laboratory instruments throughout the clinical laboratory to include: Hematology - Urinalysis - Coagulation - Chemistry - and limited microbiology under supervision of a medical technologist
• Enters results of tests performed into computer data bank via computer terminal or LIS Interface
• Reports results of lab tests which are at the \"critical\" or toxicity level directly to the care and treatment of the patient
• Follows procedures for patient identification - sample procurement - and specimen labeling
• Receives all patients - employees reporting for laboratory tests
• Performs computerized accessioning of patient specimens
• Performs routine venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient - outpatients - and ambulatory inpatients as requested by the provider
• Performs phlebotomy using approved methodology for sample collection to include the importance of proper patient identification
• Follows the laboratory procedures for collecting specimens in the appropriate container - maintains specimen under appropriate conditions - follows guidelines for collecting timed specimens at the appropriate times to insure specimen viability
• Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results
• Instructs patient in the collection of urine for chain of custody (legal) urine drug screens - processes specimen and paperwork appropriately
• Preparation of samples for testing in the various clinical laboratory sections - such as labeling - centrifugation - decanting and aliquotting - etc
• Distribution - storage and delivery of supplies and other materials used for the purpose of phlebotomy services
• Cleaning and restocking the blood collection room and areas where collection trays and equipment are stored
• Receiving phlebotomy requests utilizing both manual and computerized logging methods
• Answering incoming calls for the laboratory service
• Quickly finding and relaying accurate information or referring the caller to technical personnel
• Performing disposition of add-on orders
• Re-collection of patient specimens when determined by the medical technologists to be inadequate or insufficient to meet the test requirements
• Collection of additional samples as required for the purpose of performing additional required testing
• Retrieving and verifying results from reference labs in the hospital computer timely
• Responsible for training new phlebotomy staff and may be requested to teach phlebotomy techniques - safety policies and universal precautions to personnel from other areas of the medical center
• Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques providing them with written procedures - reference materials and supplies
• Assists in preparing schedules and verifies attendance of employee
• Assists in coordinating leave requests to ensure maximum coverage of the specimen receiving and phlebotomy area
• Maintains adequate supplies for all phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures
• Assists in the inventory and distribution of various laboratory supplies
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:30am - 5:00pm (May be assigned another tour based on workload need.) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Lead Medical Technician/PD08046A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized