Health Technician
DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. The Health Technician is responsible for receiving and processing specimens including computerized accessioning, centrifugation, aliquoting, determining specimen acceptability, and delivery to the point of analysis or, if analysis is to be delayed, ensuring proper storage conditions are utilized to preserve specimen integrity.
Major Duties: Incumbent will perform a variety of duties including but not limited to the following: Clerical Assignments: Serves as key contact for Veterans and beneficiaries seeking Diagnostic services, experiencing problems, and/or requesting information. Operate standard office equipment, such as multiline phone, copier, scanner, fax, page printers, label printers, etc. Answer and route telephone calls to the appropriate technical area of P&LMS. Verifies patient information and tests ordered in the computer system. Prints patient order labels for sample collection and at leisure tests (urine, stool, 24-hour urine, etc.). Answers basic technical laboratory questions or following up with appropriate section. Has a general knowledge of Laboratory accreditation requirements that are recommended by CAP, FDA, and The Joint Commission. Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive patient information. Accepts or enters requests for reference laboratory testing in the laboratory information system. This includes ordering specific tests in the computer system provided by the major commercial reference laboratory, and/or preparing any hard copy requisitions required by other reference laboratories. Specimen Receipt: Provides customer relation services when receiving laboratory specimens from patients and other services within the VA North Texas Healthcare System. Serves as a subject matter expert for other healthcare professionals on the collection and processing of all laboratory testing. Reviews and accepts test request orders for samples submitted for testing. This includes accessioning samples into the laboratory. Evaluates the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Follows established protocol for handling of mislabeled/unlabeled specimens. Separates and routes the specimen to the specific laboratory section that performs the ordered test. Receives packages delivered to the laboratory. Specimen and Send-Out Processing: Performs the processing of all clinical laboratory specimens and is responsible for the timely and proper distribution of specimens to the technical areas of the PLMS laboratory and the reference laboratories to assure specimen integrity. Uses laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers, in addition to consumables such as transfer pipettes, laboratory pour-off tubes and reference laboratory specimen containers. Communicates with the reference laboratories to research the requirements on new tests that are not identified in the reference laboratory directories. Operates and performs periodic reviews on equipment including checking temperatures of laboratory refrigerators and freezers, etc Venipuncture collection: Demonstrates knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices of phlebotomy, hemostasis, and requirement of blood collection for the various tests performed in the laboratory. Obtains timely and appropriate blood samples as ordered per PLMS policies and procedures for both inpatient and outpatient orders. Must understand isolation precautions and the proper personal protective equipment necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures. Identifies tests that require special handling conditions and appropriately performs proper specimen collection. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0600-1630 Rotating weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD00802A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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. 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 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.