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. Additionally, they check-in/accession patients and collect specimens through phlebotomy procedures. AMERICA'S VETERANS NEED YOU!
Duties include but are not limited to: Specimen Receipt (50%) 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 (25%) 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.
Communicate 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. Responsible for monitoring technical equipment, performing maintenance, and quality assurance on instrumentation (centrifuge).
Clerical Assignments (15%) 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. Venipuncture Collection (10%) 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.
Initiates emergency care procedures in the event a patient has reaction to blood collection procedures including fainting, hematoma, and anxiety. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, tour of duty varies within 6:30am to 5:30pm, Rotating Holidays and Weekends Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Laboratory Assistant)/PD00802A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application
Kimberly.Ingram2@va.gov · 469-970-0788
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $44285 – $57571/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-18.
This is a Monday - Friday, 6:30am to 5:30pm, Rotating Holidays and Weekends position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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