The position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) at the Hudson Valley VA Health Care System. The incumbent performs a variety of functions including: accessioning specimens into the computer system, collects, evaluates and processes patient specimens, answers questions relative to patient specimens, instructs and assists patients, and processes send-out specimens for testing.
Performs Diagnostic Procedures: Incumbent collects and processes specimens obtained for analyses throughout P&LMS and associated reference laboratories, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patients and the quality of the specimen. The incumbent performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatients, outpatients, and urgent room when needed.
Collections should be completed with a minimal number of failures, bruising or re-sticks, and ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. The use of a syringe or butterfly needle may be required in obtaining difficult specimens. During collection procedures, the incumbent makes gross visual observation and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, notifying appropriate emergency personnel as needed.
Patient Care: He/she secures the confidence and cooperation of patient during phlebotomy, explains procedure, and positions patients for desired results. Special attention should be given to explaining any post phlebotomy procedure that may be needed, such as applying extra pressure and leaving bandage in place for an extended period of time to patients on blood thinners, and address any concerns from the patient.
Clerical Support/ Coordination: Navigate through the procedure of checking patients into the phlebotomy area, taking care to follow protocol. This includes checking 2 forms of ID, logging patients in, and accessioning into the computer for the proper labels. These duties will be performed in a friendly, courteous manner utilizing appropriate customer service skills.
The patient's correct identification (two different types) must always be established prior to obtaining any specimen. Generated labels must match the test requisition slips or the electronic request, and the patient's identification. All specimens must be properly labeled in front of patient.
Specimen Processing, Send Outs, Employee Urine Drug Screen Collection: Receives and sorts specimens collected from inpatients, outpatients, and all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's), checks request slips for proper information, logs in specimen, and delivers specimens to various laboratory sections. The incumbent also operates centrifuges, reporting any malfunction the to Supervisor, as needed.
He/she evaluates temperature requirements of specimen refrigerators on the wards as needed. Processes specimens for send out to reference laboratories by centrifuging, separating, storing specimens at the appropriate temperature, and creates appropriate manifests for specimen being sent out. Collects employee urine drug screens as scheduled or requested by Human Resources. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Day Tour 7am-3:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD08049A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved 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/.
Darci.Cook@va.gov · 315-425-4400
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $48005 – $62407/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-24.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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