Health Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Augusta Health Care System in Augusta, GA is seeking a blood collection technician in the Vascular Access Section of Nursing Service/Ambulatory Care Service. The incumbent collects and processes blood specimens for laboratory analysis under supervision of laboratory professionals, contributing to diagnostic and treatment decisions for Veterans.

GS-04 requires one year of specialized experience or education; preferred phlebotomy certification.

Qualifications

• Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series 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.
• OR, Education: Successful completion of two years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position such as biology, chemistry, or medical technology.
• Demonstrate specialized experience at the lower grade level.

Responsibilities

• Performing routine blood collection procedures such as venipuncture and capillary puncture
• Labeling and processing specimens
• Following safety and infection control procedures
• Using basic computer systems for data entry

Skills

Venipuncture

Capillary puncture

Safety procedures

Data entry

Basic computer systems

Education

Two years of college in science-related field

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Medical laboratory software

Job description

The incumbent is assigned to the Vascular Access Section of Nursing Service/Ambulatory Care Service with VA Augusta Health Care System. Incumbent plays a vital role in patient care by collecting and processing blood specimens for laboratory analysis. You will work under the supervision of laboratory professionals and contribute directly to diagnostic and treatment decisions that impact Veterans' health outcomes. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/31/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements

• Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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.
• OR, Education: Successful completion of two years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position such as biology, chemistry, or medical technology.

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement above you must demonstrate specialized experience at the lower grade level.

GS-04 grade level:

One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:

• Performing routine blood collection procedures such as venipuncture and capillary puncture
• Labeling and processing specimens
• Following safety and infection control procedures
• Using basic computer systems for data entry

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.

Preferred Experience

Phlebotomy certification and experience preferred.

Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.