Health Technician

Summary

The Health Technician is assigned to Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of lab functions including but not limited to: accession specimens into computer system - collect patient specimens (phlebotomy) - answer questions relative to patient specimens - instruct and assist patients - process specimens - and perform waived testing such as fingerstick glucose testing.

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 03/09/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above):
Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists - speech pathologists - medical officers - and optometrists. Therefore - technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge - methods - and techniques of the position to be filled. OR Education and Training:
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 directly related to the position. Specialized

Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to:
Performing both clerical and clinical duties in a medical/healthcare environment; answering and directing phone calls; documenting medical records. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. OR
- Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school - junior college - college - or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours - 45 quarter hours - or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. Transcripts required. OR - Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

Preferred Experience:

Inpatient and Outpatient Phlebotomy Experience. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Performs a range of diagnostic laboratory support duties such as collection and labeling of specimens for the laboratory
• Performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens and collection/acceptance of other body fluid such as urine or sputum
• Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples
• Ensures and verifies correct labeling and patient identification
• Records test time and intervals as appropriate
• Processes and assures proper storage of specimens
• Performs limited waived testing such fingerstick glucose testing
• Adheres to safety - infection control - and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing testing
• Assists in the training of new employees on specimen collection procedures
• Uses hospital computer system to perform routine work such as - reviewing and accepting lab orders - entering test results and gathering information required to complete assigned duties
• Performs routine or repetitive work in a laboratory setting
• The work requires a basic familiarity with overall function of the laboratory
• Receives and Directs Patients Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients - providing personal patient care and educating patients on pre-testing and post-testing activities
• Assists patients - visitors and others requesting Information - guidance or referral for special assistance
• Receives and directs patients - instructs patients in the proper collection of specimens such as midstream urine collection - 24-hour urine collection - collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity - etc
• When performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens instructs patient in procedure to be followed prior to - during and after the test in order to obtain specimens at the required time
• Control Records and Document Test Results Performs…