Medical Technician

Veterans Health Administration; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal health insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Technician for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System.

The incumbent performs a broad range of laboratory duties in clinical and anatomic pathology with minimal supervision. Responsibilities include conducting CLIA-waived testing, phlebotomy, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and specimen processing, while ensuring quality control and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures in clinical and anatomic pathology with minimal supervision.
• Conducts CLIA-waived testing, phlebotomy, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and specimen processing.
• Ensures data integrity and promptly communicates critical results to physicians and nursing staff.
• Maintains, calibrates, and troubleshoots laboratory equipment; documents quality control.
• Provides training and education to new employees and students.
• Adheres to biosafety and biosecurity regulations.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. The incumbent works in the Pathology and Laboratory Service and functions as a Medical Technician, performing key duties in the clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology.

Key Responsibilities

Major duties include, but not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures to include pre-analytic, analytic and post analytic processes with minimal technical supervision. Performs testing in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing, phlebotomy, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, toxicology, urinalysis, referral laboratory, microbiology, and specimen processing.

Recognizes data with life threatening (critical) implications and understands the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patients' physician and/or nursing staff. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.

Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.

Identifies discrepancies and solves problems. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge.

Interprets findings and makes recommendations. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).

Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Participates in proficiency testing programs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 0800 - 1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 $45235-$59318/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-13.

Who is eligible to apply?

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