Medical Technician - Phlebotomist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Technician-Phlebotomist in Sioux Falls. This role involves collecting and evaluating patient specimens, instructing patients, and ensuring specimen quality. The incumbent will be responsible for patient identification and adhering to laboratory safety procedures.

Applicants must possess relevant experience in phlebotomy and meet specified health and safety requirements. This temporary position has an intermittent work schedule that may include weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• 6 months of phlebotomy experience in a clinical setting.
• Basic written and spoken English proficiency.
• Understanding of laboratory safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform blood collection using various methods.
• Manage specimen collection in emergency situations.
• Train new employees in specimen collection.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Patient care

Laboratory testing

English proficiency

Manual dexterity

Education

Associate degree in laboratory assistant training program or equivalent

Baccalaureate degree or combination of education and experience

Job description

Summary

This position is for a Medical Technician‑Phlebotomist in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Sioux Falls VA. The incumbent performs accessioning specimens into computer systems; collecting and evaluating patient specimens; answering questions relative to specimens; instructing and assisting patients; and preparing specimens to be sent to reference labs.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 09/30/2026. Opening Date: June 29, 2026. Closing Date: September 30, 2026. First Cut-Off Date: July 13, 2026. This is an Open Continuous Announcement; qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Applicants must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Selective Placement Factor: Experience performing phlebotomy, including venipuncture and capillary blood collection, on human patients in a clinical or healthcare setting. Minimum experience: 6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience, as defined below.

• General experience: Any work that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties or familiarity with the subject matter.
• Specialized experience: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations, preparing reports of findings, or (b) technical support work in a closely related field requiring application of methods and techniques relevant to the position.
• Education: An associate degree with a laboratory assistant training program or equivalent; or a baccalaureate degree; or combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements: Pre‑employment examination will assess manual dexterity, hand/eye coordination, ability to walk, bend, stand for several consecutive hours, lift up to 20 lbs, and handle moderate risks. Protective clothing and personal protective equipment are mandatory.

Work Environment: Requires use of masks, gowns, gloves, etc. Follow safety procedures per the Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Manual.

Responsibilities

• Using proper patient identification and sample labeling.
• Collecting blood or urine specimens and ensuring safe, non‑traumatic processes to maintain patient safety and specimen quality.
• Performing blood collection using venipuncture, arterial punctures, and capillary finger sticks with minimal failures.
• Collecting specimens in emergency rooms, hospital rooms, extended care rooms, and out‑patient specimen collection areas.
• Managing specimen collection under emergent situations such as cardiac arrest, stroke, critically ill or non‑cooperative patients.
• Identifying tests that require special handling conditions and performing appropriate specimen collection.
• Handling emergency care procedures if a patient reacts to blood collection (e.g., fainting, hematoma, anxiety).
• Preparing specimens by labeling and decanting, keeping them at proper temperature and conditions.
• Training new employees and students in specimen collection and computer duties.
• Assisting technologist/technician with other miscellaneous and clerical duties.
• Answering telephone inquiries.
• Work schedule: intermittent, sporadic, irregular. Hours to be discussed with supervisor; may include weekends and holidays.
• Time limited position: temporary, not to exceed 6 months.
• Position Description/PD# Medical Technician – Phlebotomist (PD80451A).