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Medical Technician

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS)

Summary

The Medical Technician performs both routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology in support of a medical laboratory.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/09/2026 to 02/13/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$40,910 to - $53,185 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4
Locations
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Las Cruces, NM
El Paso, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CAZM-12880832-26-AO
Control number
856969500

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Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities will include:

  • Using microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, and instruments to perform laboratory tests and analyze body fluids and other substances to determine the presence or absence of disease or other abnormal conditions;
  • Receiving, collecting, sorting, recording, storing and/or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing/diagnostic procedures can be performed;
  • Obtaining additional data or information from healthcare providers as needed;
  • Maintaining the laboratory and equipment in a clean and safe condition;
  • Calibrating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation and equipment;
  • Monitoring specimens, equipment, and laboratory for acceptability;
  • Ensuring that sufficient supply of reagents, standards, and controls, are available at all times; and preparing reagents, controls, etc.;
  • Recommending changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accurately, and safety;
  • Establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintaining appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules;
  • Assisting in training personnel and/or students in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety;
  • Functioning as a point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to the supervisory to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies;
  • Accepting/documenting incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system;
  • Processing specimens and selecting appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimens, patient information, and laboratory resources;
  • Reporting all specimen problems according to established guidelines;
  • Performing a variety of laboratory tests, both new and established that involve very fine distinctions in analytical methods;
  • Entering test results into hospital computer system, verifying the accuracy, completeness, and validity;
  • Evaluating the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures;
  • Correlating and integrating information and performing additional testing to confirm abnormal results as per policies and procedures;
  • Participating in quality assurance activities;
  • Performing related duties as required.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 6:45am to 3:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD756-1269A and PD756-1269-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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
  • 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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)
  • Pre-Employment physical requirement.
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 interest. In 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/13/2026.

Selective Placement Factor:
Candidate must possess knowledge and experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws.
Candidate must posses knowledge and experience assessing patient collection sites and determine the best option to collect blood specimen.


Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized Experience:
Six Months of general experience and six months of 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:
For GS-4: 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 year's 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. (Transcript Required)

Combination Education and Experience:
An equivalent combination of successfully completed general experience, specialized experience, and post-high school education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Your experience must be documented, and transcripts are required. (Transcript Required)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Specimen Collection
  • Computer Skills
  • Customer Service
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The position will require moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderated carrying (15-44 pounds), use of fingers, reaching above shoulders, walking (2 hours), standing (6 hours), kneeling (4-6 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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/.

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

Note: If your school was accredited by the Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Accreditation: Postsecondary Education Institutions | U.S. Department of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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