Medical Technician-Phlebotomy and Processing

Summary

The incumbent serves in the Phlebotomy and Processing section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. The position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for both inpatients and outpatients at the Amarillo VA HealthCare System.

Duties

• The position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for both inpatients and outpatients at the Amarillo VA HealthCare System. The incumbent will perform a variety of specimen collection, processing, and testing related functions coordinating the general flow of specimens from phlebotomy to the individual sections (i.e. Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, etc.) to ensure accurate, reliable laboratory results. The incumbent will be required to work weekends and holidays on a fair and equitable rotation basis. Accessioning and Processing Duties The majority of the incumbent's day will be spent performing routine venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatients, Community Living Center patients, Community Based Outpatient Centers, and Emergency Room patients. The incumbent will be required to proficiently collect this blood samples with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required resticks, and ensure that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. Receives all requests for testing into the laboratory computer package. Verifies th.e accuracy and completeness of the request. Interacts with hospital personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action. The incumbent is also be required to receive and sort specimens, check request slips or shipping documents for proper information, log in specimen, and deliver specimens to various laboratory sections. Verifies sample transport requirements for a variety of laboratory tests, including cultures, biopies, etc. The incumbent may also be assigned to technical support tasks that include, but are not limited to: Preparation of samples for testing in the various clinical laboratory sections, such as labeling, centrifugation, decanting, allocating, 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 is stored. Receiving phlebotomy requests utilizing both manual and computerized logging methods. Recollection 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 requested testing. Phlebotomy Duties: The incumbent instructs patients in proper sterile and non-sterile urine collections, 24-hour urine collection, collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, ova and parasite, occult blood and special specimen collections for flu, DNA testing, environmental surveillance, urine drug screens, etc. Upon completion of collection measures and records urine volume and properly stores the sample for analysis. Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards. Blood sample collection must be performed in the manner described by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) as well as the written guidelines of P&LMS. Assists in writing and revising standard operating procedures relative to job performance. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with agency requirements. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems. Ensures the lab blood collection lists are called up at the correct times and reconciles any uncollected orders. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while the patient is having blood drawn. Follows hospital and section procedures when dealing with outpatient medical emergencies. Processes all specimens per strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Clerical Duties: The incumbent answers incoming calls for Laboratory Services. Quickly finds and relays accurate information or refers the caller to technical personnel. Provides information to patients on the date/time of appointments and clinic locations. Informs patient on venipuncture proced…

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/09/2026. This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Experience: Six months of general experience and six months of specialized Experience (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 Education and Training: GS-4 Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. (Transcript Required) Or Combining Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are also qualifying. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (Transcript 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/.

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/. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.