Lead Health Technician

This position will serve as the Lead Health Technician for Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System, in Fayetteville NC.

The incumbent properly identified patients utilizing the full name and social security number before collecting, processing and /or hospital computer entry of requests. Compares orders from multiple physicians and request the medical technologist to combine the orders. The incumbent properly identifies, labels and collection blood bank specimens for STAT and routine testing while next to the patient bedside or chair side. The incumbent performs phlebotomy using specialized techniques for cleansing the blood collection site to prevent bacterial contamination that's critical to patient care, to ensure the contamination rate of blood cultures remains with in guidelines with blood culture contamination. The incumbent draws the blood tests ordered by providers for inpatients, outpatients, CBOC patients and for requested drug screens. When required, the incumbent draws blood from patients for requested laboratory test.

The incumbent is responsible for the integrity of the sample. Sample integrity requires 1) appropriate sample submitted for testing, 2) adequate volume of same, 3) correct tube type 4) correct storage and packing of sample, 5) sample is free of contaminants which may compromise the reporting of results, and 6) correct collection of the presence of an intravenous infusion site. The incumbent performs blood drawing in a courteous manner and monitors the patient throughout the collection process, ensuring patient safety, observing blood flow, adequate mixing of specimen, and confirming blood flow stops at appropriate time. Possesses proficiency in phlebotomy, being able to draw all but the most difficult patients and This position reports directly to the Supervisory Health Technician and/or designee and is responsible for providing guidance and oversight of the section(s) specified as directed by the Supervisor. This includes participating in interviews, recommending appointment, and evaluating work performance. The incumbent collaborates with the Supervisor in completing the laboratory schedule and adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. This position ensures that all employees are aware of and abide by the appropriate hospital and laboratory safety regulations as provided by the Supervisor. Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the section. Leads the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level phlebotomy training programs to fulfill education and professional requirements as directed by the Supervisor. Ensures staff members complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education. Trains lower grade phlebotomy health technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. Assists employees in obtaining continuing education and determining their training needs. Conducts orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff upon initial test performance and annually thereafter as directed by the Supervisor.follows proper procedures for redrawing blood. Must complete the urine drug screen and blood draw quickly to produce quality specimens.

Responsible for receiving and preparing requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and evaluates the acceptability of each specimen, documents discrepancies, and resolves potential problems. Screens telephone calls and routes inquiries to appropriate personnel. Ensures proper processing and accession of specimens; especially those requiring special handling, and clearly communicates requirements to the laboratory staff. Contacts Medical Center staff for additional information to ensure that proper testing and interpretive data are received. Sorts specimens based on testing location, needs, and priority for turnaround time. Performs specimen processing and plating in microbiology. Able to cope with quick deadlines and uses knowledge of processing procedures to identify and resolve specimen errors. Follows detailed instructions in operating the laboratory equipment, i.e., centrifuge, barcode reader, and printers.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 07:00a.m-3:30p.m, Rotating weekends and holidays.
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Lead Health Technician/PD08385A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/05/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Selective Placement Factor: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

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-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of DHHS standards for chain of custody drug screen collection and is certified to collect the specimens; specimen collection and specimen handling requirements for a wide array of analytical tests. Knowledge of human anatomy, aseptic and sterile techniques and phlebotomy equipment to select phlebotomy site and skill in using collection systems, syringes, butterfly needle devices and capillary puncture techniques. Knowledge of the laboratory regulatory and legal requirements involved in processing and testing various laboratory specimens and the Code of Federal Regulations requirements to certify/transport infectious or bio-hazardous material. Using various software systems including laboratory information system (LIS), VISTA, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook to input/retrieve medical information. Provides support and oversight in the specimen collection department. Performs both routine and specialized work in the clinical laboratory, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Performs, collects, and tests on a variety of biological specimens an/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have graduate education or an internship that meets the specialized experience required above GS-05 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position.

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/.

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/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.