Health Technician

Summary

Come Join Our Team! VA Hampton Healthcare System is looking for a Health Technician (Phlebotomist) at the North Battlefield Clinic in Chesapeake, VA. The Health Technician performs duties in the receiving–accessioning and specimen processing area, including collection of chain‑of‑custody drug screens, reference laboratory specimen processing, clerical functions, patient testing, and phlebotomy.

• GS‑05 grade requirements: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑04 or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of Department of Health & Human Services standards for chain‑of‑custody drug‑screen collection and certification to collect specimens.
• Knowledge of specimen collection and handling for a wide array of analytical tests.
• Knowledge of human anatomy, aseptic and sterile techniques, and phlebotomy equipment (syringes, butterfly needles, capillary puncture).
• Knowledge of laboratory regulatory and legal requirements, CFR requirements for transporting infectious or biohazardous material, and infection‑control precautions.
• Knowledge of pre‑analytic processing procedures, specimen‑error resolution, and laboratory accreditations.
• Technical proficiency in operating laboratory equipment and understanding normal test values.
• Oral communication skills to explain testing procedures to patients and clarify test requests with staff.
• Experience with medical record‑keeping systems (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Preferred: phlebotomy experience, specimen processing, and collection of drug screens per DHHS requirements.
• Education:
  
  a 4‑year bachelor’s degree in a related field with a transcript, or a combination of education and experience meeting the GS‑05 criteria.

Work is performed in a laboratory environment and requires regular walking, bending, standing, and moderate lifting. Must have normal color vision, pass mask‑fit testing, complete Heartsavers training, and be able to assist geriatric and/or disabled patients. Protective clothing, gloves, face shields, and safety shields must be used in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

• Identify patients using full name and SSN before collecting or processing specimens.
• Label and collect blood‑bank specimens for STAT and routine testing at the patient bedside or chair side.
• Ensure accurate labeling with patient name, , initials, and tube details.
• Perform phlebotomy using specialized techniques to prevent bacterial contamination and maintain a low contamination rate of blood cultures.
• Select proper vacutainer tubes and needles for appropriate specimen collection.
• Receive and prepare testing requests, evaluate specimen acceptability, document discrepancies, and resolve potential problems.
• Conduct blood draws courteously, monitor patient safety, observe blood flow, and confirm cessation of flow.
• Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment; comply with infection‑control and disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Document electronic patient medical records.
• Record refrigerator and freezer temperatures at all sites.
• Provide care based on physical, psychosocial, and safety criteria appropriate to patient age.
• In emergencies, initiate appropriate alert and patient‑treatment procedures (e.g., CPR).
• Answer the telephone in the main laboratory, assist with collection questions, and refer other queries to the medical technologist on duty.
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Title/PD#:
Health Technician/PD05006A. Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized. Telework:
Not Authorized. Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized.

For more information on qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management website at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..