Health Technician-Pathology and Laboratory

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center (VAMC) and clinics in the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service (PMLS). The multi-skilled Health Technician performs a wide range of administrative functions which includes compliance to CLIA regulations for laboratory testing, clerical and health tech functions.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/01/2026.

Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640 Individual Occupational Requirements:

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-3: Successful completion of l year of study that included study in medical, health, or related fields.
For GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position.
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.

In ADDITION to meeting the IOR Requirement the Health Technician 0640 Series requires Specialized Experience to be met as well.

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: performing both clerical and clinical duties in a medical/healthcare environment; answering and directing phone calls; scheduling appointments; documenting medical records; taking and recording vital signs; and collecting and labeling specimens. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed one-half year of GRADUATE level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position and is directly related to the work of the position. 9 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one-half year of full-time study requirement. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education at the graduate level.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of previous phlebotomy and specimen receiving experience.

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/.

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Setting up all necessary accessories and supplies regarding laboratory testing and assist with minor surgical procedures.
• Perform all point of care laboratory testing which includes Urinalysis, Pregnancy Testing, Hemoglobin A1C, Stool Hemacults, Rapid Strep, Rapid Flu and finger stick blood glucose.
• Ensure that all quality control materials are run and acceptable daily or as required by regulations.
• Maintaining all records for lab certification, point of care testing and maintenance on laboratory machines, assigning proficiency tests, ensure timely reporting to CAP and monitor all survey results.
• Prompt investigation of unsuccessful surveys and report all findings to leadership.
• Collect, label, process, store, and either ship specimens that require reference lab testing or deliver to laboratory area that performs tests that are outside of the Health tech scope of testing or not performed at our facilities.
• Receives patients for medical laboratory testing.
• Processes orders and appointments, collects specimens and evaluates tests for processing determination.
• Contacts providers to correct order errors and to place orders if a patient arrives with no orders in the system and works in close cooperation with Medical Officer of the Clinic in ensuring effective medical treatment is provided to eligible veterans.
• Prepares the patient for the blood or urine collection according to CAP (College of American Pathologists).
• Follows proper patient preparation and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandage patient appropriately following collection.
• Ensures that all the staff who work in the laboratory meet the certification requirements for the College of American Pathology (CAP) Point of Care CLIA testing and maintains the records and ensure that all proficiency testing required for the staff is completed in the time frame which the CAP mandates.
• Maintains continuity of functions and provides full medical administrative support and nursing assistant functions within the clinic to both clinical, laboratory and administrative VA staff.
• Answers telephone calls, and coordinates information and actions relating to patient care and services.
• Assists patients, visitors, and other requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday, 5:30am-2:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician-Pathology and Laboratory/PD13888A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Requirements: The work requires much walking through the laboratory and clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office equipment. The position requires the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients.

Salary : $45,409