Health Technician Job in Tulsa, OK

Vacancy No. CBSU-12722777-25-GL Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $44,959.00 to $58,445.00 Grade 6 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/21/2025 Close Date 4/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tulsa, OK


Summary

Position is with the Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System, Pathology and Laboratory, Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The incumbent performs a wide range of functions which include compliance to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and The Joint Commission regulations for laboratory testing, clerical, and health technician functions. The Health Technician uses knowledge of technical methods and procedures to carry out a variety of essential duties.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Duties include:

  • Operating guidelines to determine technical factors, setting controls, calibrating, and operating equipment and instruments such as occult blood analyzer.
  • Ensuring proper cleaning and performing minor maintenance of laboratory equipment and adjusting as needed.
  • Under the direction of the Lab supervisor, is responsible for maintaining records for point of care testing and maintenance on laboratory machines.
  • Accepting patient orders, printing labels, selecting proper tubes and containers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), labeling specimens with all required information in front of the patient; collecting blood following proper tube collection without contamination.
  • Determining the correct handling environment for each specimen submitted for referral laboratory testing and performing processing procedures which may be difficult, complex or non-standardized and may involve delicate and exacting steps working with specimens that may be irreplaceable such as tumor biopsy or aspirate.
  • Ensuring fire, safety, disaster, and infection control procedures are implemented by staff; utilizing protective and supportive devices which comply with PPE Infection Control Standards.
  • Processing tissue cultures and specimen samples related to pathology testing which require difficult specialized procedures.
  • Instructing patients on proper specimen collection procedures to ensure specimens are acceptable for testing.
  • Preparing specimens to be sent to outside laboratories, including reference and sharing laboratories, for testing not done at this laboratory; assuring the proper specimen was collected, recording in the send-out book, putting specimen in the proper receptacle, packaging specimen to maintain the correct temperature during shipping, completing and checking paperwork, and sending specimen to the correct laboratory.
  • Answering telephone calls, and coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services, assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance.
  • Working cooperatively with a variety of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, always portraying a positive image and providing satisfactory customer service.
  • Using courtesy and sound business etiquette in all interactions, whether interpersonal or telephonic.
  • Performing patient care procedures such as collecting of lab specimens, applying dressings, and adjusting simple supportive equipment.
  • Preparing patient for blood collection according to College of American Pathologists (CAP) and The Joint Commission (TJC) guidelines; following proper patient preparation and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandage patient appropriately following collection.
  • Performs patient care procedures such as collection of lab specimens, the proper collection and handling of various specimens including venous blood, instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures to ensure specimens are acceptable for testing.
Work Schedule: Schedule varies based on the needs of the facility.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD14453A

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The work requires much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office equipment. The positions require the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine
skills of some of the point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. The incumbent may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics within the workweek, depending on the clinic workload. The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance of laboratory work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts that require special
safety precautions. Environment may involve infectious diseases, contact with or disposal of body secretions, verbal and physical abuse from emotionally distraught individuals and/or working around equipment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
  • 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.
  • In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
  • Per CFR 330.502, General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/30/2025.

All applicants must meet one of the following Individual Occupational Requirement to receive further consideration:
  • 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.
You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS 05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of medical and technical terminology, and phlebotomy skills suggest collection of blood samples by venipuncture or arterial puncture procedure methods;
knowledge of applicable public laws and/or applicable VA policy, regulations and station directives; knowledge of Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and HIPPA as it relates to release of information on patients and the privacy of patient information; knowledge of medical and administrative records systems; knowledge of College of American Pathology regulations and proficiency testing; ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures to make sound decisions; ability to deal with a variety of individuals with tact and diplomacy; ability to complete assigned projects such as reports and reviews in a timely manner; skill in the use of tools, materials and specialized laboratory equipment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no educational requirement, substitution, or combination for GS-06 in this series.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLC), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed anbd unlicensed clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPT) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also include VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12722777.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System
1011 Honor Heights Drive
Muskogee, OK 74401
US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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