Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/19/2026.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• Education
• Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification
• 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)
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement
• For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06
• The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service
• An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment
• You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization
• Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performing technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic, and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings, or technical support work in a closely related field such as biological laboratory technician work that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled
• OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience
• If you are using education to qualify, you need to submit a transcript based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of this position
• One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study
• If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one-year of full-time study requirement
• Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended
• OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level
• You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position
• You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Specimen Collection - Uses proper specimen collection techniques (phlebotomy/venipuncture, finger sticks, urine, sputum, tissue, etc.)
• selects appropriate site for sample collection to minimize patient discomfort
• uses correct containers and labels
• monitors patients for adverse reactions
• Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work
• Customer Service - Works and communicates with clients and customers (e.g., any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit provides, including individuals who work in your agency or in other agencies or organizations outside the Government) to satisfy their expectations
• Committed to quality services
• Education and Training - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of instructional methods such as teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, and testing
• Managing Human Resources - Plans, distributes, coordinates, and monitors work assignments of others
• evaluates work performance and provides feedback to others on their performance
• ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner
• Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position
• Applicants must have experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients
• 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 work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 40 pounds
• In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the arduous nature of the job
• There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or good color vision
• The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions
• Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear
• Work areas must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion
• 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/.