Launch Your Healthcare Career as a Medical Technician at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Are you a dedicated clinical professional looking to make a meaningful impact? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a talented Medical Technician to join the team at the prestigious Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. This role is a vital component of the military medical infrastructure, ensuring that our service members and their families receive the highest quality laboratory support.

Job Responsibilities

The Medical Technician performs a wide range of essential laboratory duties, including:

Patient Preparation: Verifying that patients meet testing requirements such as fasting or dietary restrictions.
Sample Collection: Performing expert phlebotomy on inpatients, outpatients, and emergency room personnel using strict aseptic techniques.
Safety and Response: Monitoring patients for physiological reactions to blood draws and initiating emergency measures if necessary.
Lab Operations: Accurately labeling specimens and preparing them for transport to both internal and external testing facilities.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, candidates must demonstrate:

Six months of general work experience plus six months of specialized lab experience.
A valid medical license or certification relevant to laboratory duties.
Ability to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements.
Successful completion of a background check for a Secret security clearance.

Comparison of Qualifications

Qualification Type	Requirement Details
Education	Associate degree in lab studies OR 1-2 years of college with specific chemistry/bio credits.
Experience	12 months total (6 months general + 6 months specialized).
Combination	A calculated mix of education and experience totaling at least 100%.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive salary range of $36,950 to $48,038 per year, including locality pay based on the Portsmouth, Virginia area.

Benefits

Employees of the Defense Health Agency are eligible for a robust federal benefits package, which includes:

Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
Generous retirement benefits, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Ample paid time off, including sick leave and federal holidays.
Access to world-class professional development resources.

Application Tips

Resume Limits: Your resume must be two pages or less. Extraneous pages will result in immediate disqualification.
Detail Matters: Include the employer name, job title, and dates (month/year) for all experience. Specify hours worked per week.
Use Plain Language: Avoid complex acronyms that may confuse a hiring manager.
Verify Status: Monitor your USAJOBS dashboard to ensure your application status updates correctly.

Serving as a Medical Technician at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth is an opportunity to be at the forefront of military healthcare. If you possess the clinical skills and the desire to support those who serve, we encourage you to submit your application by the July 15, 2026, deadline.

Why This Medical Technician Job Matters

Launch your clinical career with the Defense Health Agency at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, where your expertise in phlebotomy directly supports the health and readiness of those who serve our nation.

Medical Technician Job Overview

The Portsmouth Naval Medical Center is seeking a detail-oriented Medical Technician to join our dedicated clinical laboratory team. This role is essential for ensuring accurate diagnostic outcomes, as you will be responsible for precise phlebotomy, specimen handling, and emergency patient response within an integrated military healthcare environment. This position is being filled under Direct Hire Authority, streamlining the process for qualified professionals eager to contribute to a world-class healthcare delivery system.

Requirements for Medical Technician

U.S. Citizenship is strictly required.
Completion of a background check for a Secret security clearance.
Submission of a resume that does not exceed two pages.
Demonstration of six months of general experience plus six months of specialized laboratory experience.
Possession of a valid, job-related medical license or certification.
Ability to complete a one-year probationary period.
Compliance with Selective Service registration requirements for male applicants born after 1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Medical Technician

Prior clinical laboratory experience within a hospital or trauma center setting.
Proficiency in advanced phlebotomy techniques and specimen transport logistics.
Formal education in clinical laboratory science, chemistry, or biological sciences.
Strong communication skills for documenting patient data and interacting with healthcare providers.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal health insurance plans
✓Life insurance coverage
✓Retirement programs including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays
✓Opportunities for professional growth within the Defense Health Agency
✓Recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates

💡 How to Apply Medical Technician Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Medical Technician Job

Log in to your USAJOBS account to build or update your federal resume.
Review the full job announcement carefully to ensure you meet all specialized experience requirements.
Complete the online questionnaire through the provided application portal.
Upload your resume, transcripts, and a copy of your professional license or certification.
Verify that your resume is two pages or less to avoid automatic disqualification.
Submit your complete application package before the 11:59 PM EST deadline on July 15, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume clearly quantifies your experience by including the number of hours worked per week for every position listed.
Avoid using technical jargon or acronyms that may be misunderstood by hiring officials.
Double-check that all uploaded documents have finished the virus scan process before finalizing your submission.
Keep your resume focused; anything exceeding the two-page limit will be excluded from review.
Sanitize sensitive personal information from supplemental documents like marriage certificates, if requested, until you are officially selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary function of this Medical Technician role?

The primary focus is performing phlebotomy for inpatients and outpatients, ensuring proper specimen collection, labeling, and preparation for laboratory testing.

Can I substitute my education for work experience?

Yes, there are specific education-based requirements including completion of a certified laboratory assistant school or specific college-level credits in chemistry and biology.

Is a security clearance required?

Yes, this position is designated as Noncritical-Sensitive and requires a Secret security clearance.

What is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation?

DHA allows the agency to expedite the hiring process for critical positions, often bypassing traditional competitive procedures.

Is relocation assistance offered?

While recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, permanent change of station (PCS) costs are not currently authorized.

Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha

The Defense Health Agency is an integrated healthcare system responsible for delivering medical services across the Department of Defense. As a strategic partner to the Joint Force, the Agency supports more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families worldwide. Joining this team means contributing to a mission-driven organization that values readiness, health, and inspired professional care.