Lead Health Technician

Veterans Health Administration; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 47,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework possible

Job summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Fayetteville NC, seeks a Lead Health Technician to support Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. You will identify patients, manage specimen collection, and coordinate orders, ensuring accurate labeling and bedside collection for STAT and routine tests.

You will supervise phlebotomy staff, assist with training, scheduling, and safety compliance, and help maintain a clean, compliant laboratory. Telework may be authorized; weekends and holidays rotation apply.

Responsibilities

• Identify patients using full name and SSN before collecting and processing requests.
• Label and collect blood bank specimens for STAT and routine testing, bedside or chair side.
• Draw blood using proper techniques to prevent contamination and ensure specimen integrity.
• Supervise and train phlebotomy staff; assist with interviewing and staffing decisions.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment and ensure compliance with hospital and laboratory safety rules.
• Coordinate laboratory scheduling and adjust staffing as needed.
• Lead clinical training experiences for phlebotomy staff and ensure continuing education.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position will serve as the Lead Health Technician for Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System, in Fayetteville NC.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent properly identified patients utilizing the full name and social security number before collecting, processing and /or hospital computer entry of requests. Compares orders from multiple physicians and request the medical technologist to combine the orders. The incumbent properly identifies, labels and collection blood bank specimens for STAT and routine testing while next to the patient bedside or chair side.

The incumbent performs phlebotomy using specialized techniques for cleansing the blood collection site to prevent bacterial contamination that's critical to patient care, to ensure the contamination rate of blood cultures remains with in guidelines with blood culture contamination. The incumbent draws the blood tests ordered by providers for inpatients, outpatients, CBOC patients and for requested drug screens.

When required, the incumbent draws blood from patients for requested laboratory test. The incumbent is responsible for the integrity of the sample. Sample integrity requires 1) appropriate sample submitted for testing, 2) adequate volume of same, 3) correct tube type 4) correct storage and packing of sample, 5) sample is free of contaminants which may compromise the reporting of results, and 6) correct collection of the presence of an intravenous infusion site.

The incumbent performs blood drawing in a courteous manner and monitors the patient throughout the collection process, ensuring patient safety, observing blood flow, adequate mixing of specimen, and confirming blood flow stops at appropriate time.

Possesses proficiency in phlebotomy, being able to draw all but the most difficult patients and This position reports directly to the Supervisory Health Technician and/or designee and is responsible for providing guidance and oversight of the section(s) specified as directed by the Supervisor. This includes participating in interviews, recommending appointment, and evaluating work performance.

The incumbent collaborates with the Supervisor in completing the laboratory schedule and adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. This position ensures that all employees are aware of and abide by the appropriate hospital and laboratory safety regulations as provided by the Supervisor. Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the section.

Leads the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level phlebotomy training programs to fulfill education and professional requirements as directed by the Supervisor. Ensures staff members complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education. Trains lower grade phlebotomy health technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. Assists employees in obtaining continuing education and determining their training needs.

Conducts orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff upon initial test performance and annually thereafter as directed by the Supervisor.follows proper procedures for redrawing blood. Must complete the urine drug screen and blood draw quickly to produce quality specimens.

Responsible for receiving and preparing requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and evaluates the acceptability of each specimen, documents discrepancies, and resolves potential problems. Screens telephone calls and routes inquiries to appropriate personnel. Ensures proper processing and accession of specimens; especially those requiring special handling, and clearly communicates requirements to the laboratory staff.

Contacts Medical Center staff for additional information to ensure that proper testing and interpretive data are received. Sorts specimens based on testing location, needs, and priority for turnaround time. Performs specimen processing and plating in microbiology. Able to cope with quick deadlines and uses knowledge of processing procedures to identify and resolve specimen errors.

Follows detailed instructions in operating the laboratory equipment, i.e., centrifuge, barcode reader, and printers. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 07:00a.m-3:30p.m, Rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Lead Health Technician/PD08385A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $47418 – $61643/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-05.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.