What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Trainee position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. As a Medical Technician Student Trainee - the incumbent performs duties of a medical laboratory aide in the clinical laboratory of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in drawing routine specimens during high workload times - late clinic hours - and short staff coverage.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/08/2026. Internship Program: To be eligible - applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma - certificate - etc.) in a qualifying educational institution - on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position. Be able to work at least 8 hours per week. Meet the grade qualifications must be met prior to start date. To qualify for the GS-03 grade level: Applicants must have completed one academic year of post-high school study in order to qualify for this position. Transcripts are required. If selected you must: Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement - Maintain status as a current student - Maintain good academic standing - at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale - Adhere to an established work schedule approved by the supervisor - Provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and academic transcripts at the end of each academic period and upon request - Perform - successfully - the duties and responsibilities in the assigned position description - Observe all workplace rules - such as dress code - office conduct and behavior - Participate in all VA mandatory training programs (either on-line or in the classroom) - Notify the supervisor of any changes in the completion of the educational program - such as graduation date - changes in the major degree requirements - or changes in the educational institution's accreditation. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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/. Physical Requirements: The work requires some walking - light lifting - and intermittent periods of standing. It also requires manual dexterity and color vision.
Duties
The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. As a Medical Technician Student Trainee - the incumbent performs duties of a medical laboratory aide in the clinical laboratory of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in drawing routine specimens during high workload times - late clinic hours - and short staff coverage.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/08/2026. Internship Program: To be eligible - applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma - certificate - etc.) in a qualifying educational institution - on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position. Be able to work at least 8 hours per week. Meet the grade qualifications must be met prior to start date. To qualify for the GS-03 grade level: Applicants must have completed one academic year of post-high school study in order to qualify for this position. Transcripts are required. If selected you must: Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement - Maintain status as a current student - Maintain good academic standing - at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale - Adhere to an established work schedule approved by the supervisor - Provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and academic transcripts at the end of each academic period and upon request - Perform - successfully - the duties and responsibilities in the assigned position description - Observe all workplace rules - such as dress code - office conduct and behavior - Participate in all VA mandatory training programs (either on-line or in the classroom) - Notify the supervisor of any changes in the completion of the educational program - such as graduation date - changes in the major degree requirements - or changes in the educational institution's accreditation. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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/. Physical Requirements: The work requires some walking - light lifting - and intermittent periods of standing. It also requires manual dexterity and color vision.
Duties
- This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program
- The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions - from high school to graduate level - with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school
- The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements
- It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion
- For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs - please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/
- The student trainee is responsible for collecting a broad range of routine and non-routine specimens
- there is a high level of interaction with patients who may be combative and uncooperative
- The major aspects of the work performed are phlebotomy - specimen collection - accessioning and processing
- All duties are completed following an established process with very detailed guidelines
- At the GS-3 level - the technician is under close and continuing technical supervision
- Work Schedule: Negotiable (PRN) - minimum 16 hours every 2 weeks
Salary : $35,777 - $46,514