Student Trainee (Medical & Health)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/13/2026.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship
• No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• You must qualify based on education as described below:
• Grade Determination: GS 4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree OR 1 year or 52 weeks of general experience
• The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainees will receive training on the job
• The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions

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 4 hours per week

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 Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development
• Major responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to:
• Performing phlebotomy duties on both inpatients and outpatients
• Utilizing a personal computer to access patient medical information
• Using centrifuges and other laboratory equipment and supplies to process specimens after collection
• Sorting - aliquots and distributing specimens throughout the laboratory and to other hospital and referral labs
• Acting as courier to deliver specimens to UMHC laboratories and returning pathology reports - test results and specimens to the laboratory
• Making measurements - aliquots - and preparing preservatives for surgical and cytology specimens
• Picking up - preserving - measuring - and aliquots and preparing for shipment all 24-hour urine collections
• Stocking blood drawing and processing supplies in the receiving area and blood drawing room
• Insuring printers in receiving room and blood drawing room are functioning properly - programs set up - and replacing paper - labels and ribbons
• Answering queries from physicians - nurses and other hospital staff regarding test requirements - processing instructions - and test order status
• Routing calls to the proper section of the laboratory

Work Schedule

This position is part time - Not-to-Exceed (NTE) 1-year

• The Student Trainees will work rotating weekends - holidays and hours during school breaks
• Work includes various shifts during the hours of 5:30am to Midnight and will change according to class schedules.