Health Technician - Phlebotomy Job

Vacancy No. CBSV-12752451-25-EH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $40,332.00 to $56,489.00 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/25/2025 Close Date 10/1/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Bend, ORFairview, ORHillsboro, ORPortland, OR


Summary

This position is aligned under the Portland VA Medical Center, Primary Care Division, Clinics and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). This position may be located at any of the following: Bend CBOC, East Portland CBOC, Hillsboro CBOC, Newport Outreach Clinic, North Coast CBOC, Portland Clinic, Salem CBOC, The Dalles Outreach Clinic, West Linn CBOC, Women's clinic, Portland Resident Clinic or Vancouver Clinic (WA).

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

*This is an open-continuous announcement. Positions will be filled as they become available. The first cut-off date to consider applications for referral to the selecting official will be July 5, 2025, the remaining cut-off dates will be at 2-week intervals.

Major duties include but are not limited to;

  • Assists medical and nursing providers when performing medical & diagnostic examinations by assisting with duties such as monitoring vital signs, collecting biometrics, preparing and positioning the patient, completing the history and reminders, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests.
  • Takes and records measurements and vital signs. Reports deviations in vital signs and/or weight to the LPN/RN/MD. Measures and records height.
  • Completes Health Promotion activities and asks reason for visit.
  • Obtains and labels specimens to include clean catch urine specimens or sterile specimens.
  • Draws and labels, and packages specimens for the laboratory.
  • Transports specimens to the laboratory and calls the laboratory for reports.
  • Reports/records results for the provider as appropriate.
  • Performs routine diagnostic tests such as venipuncture, bladder scan, ultrasound, glucometer, pregnancy testing, urinary tract infection testing and electrocardiograms, as directed by the physician or professional nurse, for the purpose of diagnostic testing.
  • He/she then calibrates and transmits data via electronic records. Assists the physician in a variety of diagnostic examinations and must be able to receive instructions for difficult exams such as lumbar puncture, biopsies, colposcopies, LEEPs, intrauterine device placements, and pap smears.
  • Positions patient according to specific instructions from surgeon or primary care physician, drapes patient, preps and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features, and passes instruments.
  • Takes tissue cultures or specimen samples from difficult specialized procedures. Answers patient's questions during procedures.
  • Chaperone and comfort patients receiving gender specific examinations, including those that received Military Sexual Trauma.
  • He/she possesses knowledge of surgical instruments in this clinical setting such as dilators, tenaculums, kevorkians, loops and balls, forceps and assists doctors with size selections.
  • He/she possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment.
  • Makes precise adjustments to clarify readings and measurements and reports observations of the clinic patient regarding mobility, nutrition, pain/ comfort level, chief complaint, etc.
  • Performs patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying dressings, adjusting simple supportive equipment.
  • Performs simple procedures such as collection of blood samples or other fluid samples from ambulatory patients and application of sterile dressings to uncomplicated wounds.
  • Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples.
  • Verifies correct labeling and patient identification.
  • Records test time and intervals as appropriate.
  • Assists with or performs standard health care procedures.
  • Special procedures for women's health can include the annual breast, pap and cervical screening and interview.
  • Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Takes care of patients' routine care and comfort needs including personal hygiene, physical comfort, well-being, positioning, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, safety and falls prevention, etc.
Work Schedule: Tours Vary between the hours of 7:00a.m. - 5:30p.m
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Phlebotomy/PD20668-A
Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients.
Work Environment: The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance facility work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure too moderate risks or discomfort that requires special safety precautions, including potentially infectious material.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 10/01/2025.

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.

Basic Requirement: All applicants must meet the following 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.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, applicants must also meet the grade specific requirements listed below: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Utilizes a variety of phlebotomy techniques to draw and redraw blood; Prepare the specimen or patient for testing, prepare reagents (if necessary), perform test procedures; Assists doctors and nurses in performance of diagnostic examinations by performing duties such as monitoring vital signs, completing history and reminders, or by performing routine diagnostic test; Monitor patients for changes in condition to ( deviation in color, pulse, respiration, temperature, and blood pressure) reporting any abnormal behavior to medical provider or RN; Enters specific information into the patients' medical record using standard approved medical terminology or the human body, physical and emotional reactions, nursing care, and contraindications to medications, etc.; Assist with teaching general health care topics such as reminding patient of the importance of following medical/health care regime, reinforcing teaching and encouraging self-care activities within the patients capacities as outlined in the Primary Care Providers and Nurse Care Manager plan; Review medical records checking for accuracy, completeness and compliance with regulatory compliance. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation such as phlebotomy, nursing, or other related subjects. This education was obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Note: Transcripts required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Note: Transcripts required. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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

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.

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.

The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: 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.

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.

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.

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.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

  • Job title
  • Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Salary/Rank etc.
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
  • References, current or recent supervisor
Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Classified or Government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

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 10/01/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12752451.

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.

Agency contact information

Emily E Hammond
Address
VA Portland Health Care System
3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road
Portland, OR 97239
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.

Additional Locations

  • Salem, OR
  • West Linn, OR
  • Vancouver, WA


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


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