Health Technician (Phlebotomy)

About the role

This position is located in the Nursing, Ambulatory Care Service at the Missoula, MT OPC Laboratory. The incumbent performs a variety of functions, including: Accessioning specimens into the computer system; collecting, evaluating and processing patient specimens; answering questions related to sample collection; instructing and assisting patients and sending out specimens for testing. Follows policies and procedures established by the service, medical center, the VA and regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

• Collections and processes blood and body fluid specimens, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patient and the quality of the specimen with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required re-sticks.
• Verifies that the proper tubes are used and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Labels all tubes with the patient's name, full social security number, date, time and the phlebotomist's initials and re-identifies patient using full name and SSN.
• Performs blood collection duties in a courteous manner. Makes the patient feel as comfortable as possible. Explains what is about to happen and any necessary processes required of the patient for specimen collection.
• Adheres to safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times while collecting samples.
• Assists in teaching laboratory and clinic personnel theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy, specimen collection and specimen requirements.
• Must be able to respond to, report and assist in emergency situations. Must know CPR and first aid procedures for the care of patients who become sick, arrest or faint while having blood drawn. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn to clinical or supervisory personnel.
• Functions as a resource person and troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing VistA order entry and results options.
• Prints out appointment lists for the lab clinics. Reviews orders in CPRS to ensure that all necessary orders are drawn. Provides order numbers to technical staff for orders that need to be cancelled for various reasons, i.e. duplicate order, patient no longer on medication, etc.
• Investigates missing or incomplete patient laboratory orders. Contacts the nurse or provider involved to ensure missing or incomplete orders are placed or corrected prior to the patient presenting for sample collection.
• Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous test results. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems.
• Processes all specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Requires knowledge of differing requirements for over 700 laboratory tests. This includes specialized procedures for infrequently ordered send-out tests.
• Incumbent is responsible for receiving and storage of Laboratory supplies.
• The incumbent operates and monitors commonly used equipment which includes instructing, positioning and preparing patients; the incumbent performs routine function tests in a clinic setting which includes operating, calibrating and maintaining commonly used instruments as described in the illustrations provided.
• Able to work as a member of a team when performing procedures that require making rapid and accurate observations or adjustments to established practices.
• Effectively demonstrates responsible, flexible and self-directed work habits that promote efficient Veteran care and team functioning demonstrated by consistently arriving on time for shifts as recorded in attendance logs. Demonstrates flexibility in operational needs such as, schedule changes or additional duties as requested by supervisors.
• Maintain courteous and cooperative relationship with internal and external customers. Must have the ability to deal with people in a sensitive and diplomatic manner. The ability to handle differences of opinion in a professional manner. Required to listen to customer concerns and triages them appropriately. Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with I-CARE principles (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence), as assessed through peer and supervisory feedback.

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/09/2026.
• Individual Occupational Requirement: 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, 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.
• Specialized Experience GS-5: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Proficient in VistA and CPRS systems, including menus, procedures, equipment, and patient-care-related policies. Capable of recognizing, reporting, and assisting in emergencies, as well as observing and communicating physical or mental changes in patients. Knowledgeable in laboratory procedures, including test names/synonyms, specimen requirements, and proper processing and storage. Skilled in phlebotomy and specimen collection techniques, using Vacutainer systems, safety needles, syringes, butterfly needles, and capillary methods. Understands infection control and safety protocols, covering hand hygiene, exposure control, disaster procedures, and universal precautions.
• OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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.
• OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience.