This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Northern Colorado VA Outpatient Clinic of the Cheyenne VA Health Care System in the Pathology and laboratory Medical Service (PMLS). The multi-skilled Health Technician performs a wide range of administrative functions which includes compliance to CLIA regulations for laboratory testing, clerical and health tech functions.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2025. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-06 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: data entry to include entering specimens into computer, collecting patient specimens, answering questions relative to patient specimens, instructing and assisting patients in specimen collection, performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture collection of blood specimens, adhering to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing tests, preparing and packaging specimens for shipment, ensuring/verifying correct labeling, patient identification, and appropriate storage temperature.. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education in course of study in an accredited college or university that included a major field of study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond ???????the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to one year of specialized experience. 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/.
Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Receives patients for medical laboratory testing. Processes orders and appointment, collects specimens and evaluates tests for processing determination. Performs patients care procedures such as collection of lab specimens, applying dressings, and adjusting simple supportive equipment. Contacts providers to correct order errors and to place orders if a patient arrives with no orders in the system. Follows proper patient preparations and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandage patient appropriately following collection. Collect, label, process, store, and either ship specimens that require reference lab testing or deliver to laboratory area that performs tests that are outside of the Health Technician scope of testing or not performed at our facilities. Monitor the patient's status and inform the provider of critical changes in health status and lab values. Organizes work so that efficiency is paramount and work area is neat, tidy and meets all regulatory requirements for sanitization required for laboratory certification. Monitors and documents temperature and humidity of room and equipment, refrigerators, instruments, etc. Responsible for all point of care laboratory testing which includes Urinalysis, Pregnancy Testing, Hemoglobin A1C, stool Hema cults, Rapid Strep, Rapid Flu and finger stick blood glucose. Ensure that all quality control materials are run and acceptable daily or as required by regulations. Ensure proper cleaning and perform minor maintenance of laboratory equipment and make adjustments as needed. Make adjustments to equipment of laboratory testing, set up all necessary accessories and supplies regarding laboratory testing and assist with minor surgical procedures. Knowledge of sterile technique during surgical procedures Run any proficiency specimens correctly and within required timeframe. Performs daily, monthly maintenance as required and documents such appropriately. Processes tissue cultures and specimen samples related to pathology testing which require difficult specialized procedures, specifically dermatological procedures (assists with pathology paperwork and specimen collection, transport, and proper labeling). Assists the ATC in the supervision of clinical staff including training and competency assessments. Maintains continuity of functions and provides full medical administrate support and nursing assistant functions within the clinic to both clinical, laboratory, and administrative VA staff. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD11794A