Nursing Assistant - Phlebotomy

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vancouver VA Medical Center, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, seeks a Phlebotomy/Nursing Assistant to collect specimens and transport them to the main laboratory, following proper labeling and handling protocols.

This role supports primary care clinics and the VA facility laboratory workflow. Qualifications emphasize six months of general experience or related education, English proficiency, and ability to communicate with patients and healthcare teams.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or equivalent education/training required.
• Ability to provide patient/resident care and communicate effectively with the health team.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) as per VA standards.
• Knowledge of specimen collection procedures and basic lab workflow.

Responsibilities

• Perform specimen collection (urine, sputum, blood, stool) with proper labeling and transport to the main lab.
• Access and process orders from the hospital system; prepare specimens for testing.
• Assist with basic nursing tasks under RN/LPN supervision and monitor vital signs.
• Maintain specimen integrity using aseptic technique and PPE as required.
• Coordinate with care teams to ensure timely patient care and accurate documentation.

Skills

General experience

Communication

English proficiency

Observation of patient status

Education

High school education or equivalent

Nursing aide related courses

4-year health care degree (bachelor's)

1 year of education above high school (NA related)

Job description

Summary

The Phlebotomy/Nursing Assistant will perform specimen collection (includes blood draw) ensuring to utilize proper labeling - packaging - and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory. This position is for the Vancouver VA Medical Center location.

Summary

The Phlebotomy/Nursing Assistant will perform specimen collection (includes blood draw) ensuring to utilize proper labeling - packaging - and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory. This position is for the Vancouver VA Medical Center location.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience or Education or Training
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency
• NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 NA Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse - health technician - hospital corpsman - etc.) - performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states - therapeutic communication - and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments
• OR - Education
• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position - such as education in a program for psychology - psychiatric - or operating room technicians
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• Ability to properly use equipment - materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan - continuous passive motion device - blood glucose monitoring machine - specimen collection - etc
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
• Experience
• One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below
• OR - Education
• Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree
• AND Demonstrated KSAs
• Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital - long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance
• For example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• Preferred Experience: At least 6 months experience in Phlebotomy
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019 - updated on 4/17/2026.

Duties

• Duties include - but is not limited to: Perform specimen collection of (urine - sputum - blood - or stool) ensuring to utilize proper labeling - packaging - and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory
• Access and complete specimens' orders from the hospital computerized system - utilize centrifugation (ID required) - and prepare specimen prior to laboratory testing
• Assist with technical procedures but not limited to: taking and recording BP - temperature - pulse - respiration - pulse ox - height - weight - specimen collection such as urine - sputum - or stool - finger glucose - and administering oxygen
• Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic techniques - following department procedures - and observing and adhering to personal protective equipment policies and guidelines
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm - may vary according to facility needs
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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.