Medical Technician - Phlebotomy

This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the El Paso VA Clinic in El Paso, TX. The Medical Technician is responsible for performing duties in P&LMS related to accessioning and processing laboratory specimens.

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Performing venipuncture and routine specimen collection using established disinfection, identification, collection, labeling, and infection-control procedures; communicating professionally with patients to reduce anxiety and ensure proper specimen collection Verifying patient identification, laboratory orders, specimen requirements, and collection volumes; documenting collection problems and taking appropriate corrective action while maintaining patient confidentiality Delivering blood and urine specimens promptly to the appropriate laboratory testing areas and ensuring STAT specimens are delivered and reported to the appropriate testing section Maintaining phlebotomy supplies, specimen collection areas, equipment, and laboratory environmental conditions; performing routine inventory, equipment checks, quality-assurance activities, and proper disposal of biohazardous waste and sharps Receiving and accessioning laboratory specimens; verifying patient identification and specimen labeling, investigating discrepancies, and preparing specimens for testing, transport, storage, or shipment in accordance with established procedures Processing specimens according to established laboratory requirements, including operating routine laboratory equipment and performing simple laboratory procedures under appropriate supervision Communicating with nurses, providers, patients, laboratory personnel, and other facility staff regarding add-on testing, specimen requirements, recollection needs, discrepancies, and specimen status Troubleshooting routine specimen and processing problems, recognizing conditions that may affect specimen integrity or testing, and notifying appropriate laboratory or supervisory personnel when problems cannot be resolved Packaging specimens and laboratory supplies for shipment or pickup while maintaining required storage temperatures, specimen viability, and established packaging requirements Assisting other laboratory sections and CBOCs with phlebotomy and routine laboratory activities as assigned, and adjusting work activities and schedules to meet changing patient-care and laboratory workload requirements Assisting in training newly hired personnel, students, nurses, medical technicians, and other employees in established venipuncture, specimen-processing, computer, clerical, and laboratory procedures Providing hands-on instruction and serving as a proctor for student trainees while ensuring trainees receive sufficient instruction and guidance to perform assigned procedures independently Maintaining effective working relationships with coworkers and assisting during periods of increased workload or staffing shortages to ensure continuity and timeliness of laboratory services Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 07:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).