Medical Technician

This position is located in the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center Laboratory. They are responsible to the Supervisor of Phlebotomy/Processing. Duties include but are not limited to specimen collection specimen receipt specimen preparation specimen ordering and specimen shipping.

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

Specimen Collection/Specimen Receiving

1. Actively identifies patient using two full identifiers according to facility policy before specimen collection. Performs venipuncture and capillary collections on both inpatients and outpatients on a routine or STAT basis to obtain blood samples for testing. Accurately labels specimens according to facility policy. Delivers samples to the lab for testing. Adheres to safety infection control and standard precautions while drawing blood samples.
2. Provides initial aid when a patient has a reaction to a venipuncture procedure and activates a condition when serious or emergency conditions exist. Recognizes reassures and supports nervous patients during sample collections to keep them calm and comfortable.
3. Explains procedure and provides collection container to patients for collection of other lab specimens including but not limited to; random clean catch and 24-hour urine samples stool samples sputum samples salivary cortisol. Advises healthcare providers on special collection procedures for other lab tests as requested.
4. Reviews and receives orders in VISTA sorts and prioritizes samples collected outside the laboratory. Evaluates specimens for suitability and acceptability and labels according to facility policy. Notifies nursing or provider if samples need to be recollected.
5. Incumbent enters orders into VISTA for samples collected and sent from other VA facilities both in and outside of VISN 4. Labels samples according to facility policy and delivers samples to the correct department for testing

Clerical and Administrative Support

1. Monitors supply inventory rotates stock and minimizes outdating. Responsible for determining that no outdated collection containers tubes etc. are in work area or in use. Requests additional supplies as needed using established protocols. Uses materials in a cost effective manne
2. Completes requisitions with accuracy for samples sent to reference labs that are not interfaced with the VA lab information system. Files requisitions appropriately for result entry upon return.
3. Trains and orients new employees and students as applicable and assigned.
4. Opens and checks mail against manifest received with samples for testing at VAPHS. Receives orders for mailed samples or places orders into the lab information system and distributes samples to the respective testing area
5. Participates in inspection readiness and compliance with laboratory regulatory agencies.

Work Schedule: Rotating hours starting between 5:30am and 7:45am
Telework: This position is not authorized for telework.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD02667A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/17/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education described below:

General Experience: Six months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-3 level) that demonstrates technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings. AND Six months of general experience that includes any type of work that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work of the position or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. The total amount of experience must equal a FULL YEAR. OR
Education: 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. Note at the GS 4 and above a portion of the education is usually directly related to the work of the position to be filled.

This positions contains an Individual Occupation Requirement that further specializes the work/education necessary to qualify:

Specialized Experience: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical microbiologic hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field e.g. biological laboratory technician work that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. OR

Education and Training: Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a years duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences plus successful completion of the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Required Experience:

IC