Health Technician - Phlebotomist Job in Houston, TX

Vacancy No. CBST-12764168-25-DL Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $46,513.00 to $60,461.00 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/25/2025 Close Date 8/4/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Houston, TX


Summary

This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The Health Technician - Phlebotomist will be performing a variety of clinical and administrative functions in the Specimen Acquisition sections.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent VA Nationwide employees, CTAP/ICTAP eligible, and other Status Eligible Applicants-see Hiring Paths for more information.

Duties

Major Duties:

  • Processes a wide variety of complex specimens from hospitalized patients and patients from
    outpatient and community based clinics.
  • Processes, Examines, Accessions Specimens
  • Receives, routes and stores specimens noting labeling, contamination, hemolysis, shortage or other errors in sampling, recognizing common environmental or other considerations that could affect the results. Reconciles and verifies sample types and volumes with electronic orders and hard copy requisitions.
  • Ensures samples have the correct UID (Universal Identification) accession number label as appropriate and that label is placed so bar codes are instrument ready.
  • Ensures correct routing of clinical samples to laboratory sections, informing other staff of sample urgency as necessary.
  • The Technician must be familiar with tests performed throughout the laboratory, i.e. chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, microbiology, and cytology.
  • They must be familiar with the multitude of laboratory send-out tests, their respective requirements, and requirements noted by the laboratories where they are performed.
  • Selects the correct method of resolution for problem samples and orders and informs team leader or supervisor of problems that cannot be resolved.
  • May add, delete and cancel tests from existing orders as necessary and according to policy, annotating proper date, time and initials on the sample in addition to who was informed.
  • Performs manual procedures as required during computer down times.
  • Prepares samples, slides, smears, or other types of specimens (i.e., blood, urine, tissue) common to the laboratory.
  • Follows standard procedures and applies a practical knowledge of the properties of the specimens to ensure effective presentation of the qualities or characteristics critical for accurate testing or examination.
  • May perform selected low complexity tests and provide technical support and assistance to the Medical Technologists in the Laboratory.
  • Keeps area clean and hazard free.
  • Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer system, syringe, butterfly or capillary finger sticks with minimal number of failures, patient bruising or required repeat collection, ensuring samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with least possible delay.
  • Required to correctly label all blood tubes, instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures and provide service in a friendly, compassionate, veteran centric manner.
  • Appropriately educated in identifying adverse reactions to venipuncture procedures, such as dizziness, nausea and hematomas.
  • Following proper procedures when incidents of fainting and convulsions occur is anticipated to be carried out until further help arrives.
General Laboratory/Administrative Duties:
  • Functions as a resource person and troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing VISTA order entry and results options.
  • 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.
  • The technician is required to assist with the development of technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing.
  • Responsible for receiving and storage of Laboratory supplies. This includes,
    but is not limited to, documenting the receipt date on each item, verifying the storage
    requirement of each item by temperature requirement (room temperature, refrigerator or
    freezer), and rotating the stock to ensure the newest supply is in the back. In addition, they are required to check the expiration date of all reagents and supplies in the room temperature storage room for expiration, sequestering the item, and notifying the supervisor of the findings.
  • Audits records to ensure appropriate classification, quantity, catalog information, etc.
    Communicates all issues necessary, such as but not limited to: supply requirements, lab
    problems, accidents, patient requests and sample errors.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm or Monday through Friday from 12:00 am - 8:00 am Alternating Holidays and Weekends, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Phlebotomist/PD03708A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • 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
  • You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period
  • 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 dentification 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)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/04/2025.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: : Must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-4) in Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes: knowledge performing veni-puncture and other specialized collections according to guidelines; customer service skills to address problem-solving; Phlebotomy work experience to include drawing blood, accessioning and electronic records; and proficiency in and knowledge of specialized lab tasks including wide range of different tests, types of tubes, etc. Note: Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held on your resume. You must provide work experience information such as hours per week, salary, and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish you have one (1) full year of Specialized Experience at or comparable to the required grade level.
OR
EDUCATION: Successfully completed a full four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree, with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR
COMBINATION EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the 2nd year) AND specialized experience which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Clinical Data Collection/Documentation
  • Communications
  • Compliance Inspection
  • Computer Skills
  • Diagnostic Medical Testing


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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting, walking, stooping and stretching. The work requires manual dexterity and a large degree of concentration.
Work Environment: The work is performed in a medical laboratory with daily exposure to patients and
materials carrying infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals. Proper precautions are practiced. The employee has the potential to be exposed to communicable disease. The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around carts, or machines; with biohazardous samples, contagious diseases or irritant chemicals, and some risk of
needle stick. Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, goggles, gloves or shields to biohazard risks.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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

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.

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center employees including satellites and CTAP eligibles;
2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees;
3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees;
4th Area of Consideration - All Other Status Applicants.
Note: Veteran's preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal Agencies.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume


Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Proof of Enrollment
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript



SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
  • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
  • An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
  • Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
  • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
    • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
    • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
    • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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 questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/04/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12764168.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS 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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Agency contact information

Dannlys Logan
Address
Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center
2002 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications 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. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

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.

NOTE: 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 (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and 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 (HPTs) 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 includes 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.


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


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