Join the Defense Health Agency as a GS-07 Medical Technician at Fort Campbell

Are you a dedicated clinical laboratory professional seeking a career that combines technical precision with a profound sense of purpose? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is actively recruiting for a certified Medical Technician (GS-07) at the renowned Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) located in Fort Campbell, Tennessee. This direct-hire opportunity represents a gateway into the federal civil service, offering robust benefits, competitive pay, and the unique privilege of supporting the healthcare readiness of our nation's service members, veterans, and their families.

Whether you are a seasoned Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or a recent graduate with a passion for diagnostic excellence, this role provides an exceptional platform to grow your professional skills within a state-of-the-art military treatment facility. Below, we break down everything you need to know about this career-defining opportunity, from specific day-to-day duties to insider tips on mastering the specialized federal application process.

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About the Agency: Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and the DHA

The Defense Health Agency is an integrated combat support agency that enables the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force to Combatant Commands in both peace and wartime. As a strategic partner to the Joint Force, the DHA ensures the global delivery of world-class medical, dental, and pharmacy programs to over 9.5 million eligible beneficiaries.

Situated on the border of Tennessee and Kentucky, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell is a cornerstone of this mission. Fort Campbell is home to the legendary 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and represents one of the largest military populations in the United States. Working at BACH means joining a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and administrators who operate at the leading edge of modern medicine. The Directorate of Clinical Support provides critical diagnostic services that underpin patient care throughout the facility, making your role as a Medical Technician highly valued and indispensable.

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Key Responsibilities of a GS-07 Medical Technician

As a Medical Technician (GS-07) at Fort Campbell, you will not perform repetitive, assembly-line diagnostics. Instead, your work will span multiple complex clinical specialties, utilizing advanced automated systems and manual microscopic techniques. The clinical laboratories at BACH require technical agility and meticulous attention to detail. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Immunohematology (Blood Bank Operations): You will perform critical blood typing, cross-matching, and complex antibody detection and identification. Ensuring safe blood transfusions is an elite responsibility that directly impacts emergency medicine, surgical operations, and maternal care.
• Clinical Chemistry: Operating and maintaining high-throughput, complex automated analytical instruments to analyze blood and bodily fluids for chemical components, metabolic markers, and drug levels. You will be responsible for validating instrument calibration and reviewing quality control parameters.
• Hematology and Coagulation: Performing diagnostic testing to analyze cellular elements of blood. This includes utilizing automated cell counters and executing detailed manual microscopic evaluations to identify cell morphology anomalies. You will also perform coagulation profiles to assist in managing bleeding disorders and anticoagulant therapies.
• Urinalysis: Conducting physical, chemical, and microscopic examinations of urine specimens, interpreting sediment structures under a microscope to assist in diagnosing renal and metabolic conditions.
• Microbiology: Inoculating, cultivating, isolating, and identifying pathogenic microorganisms from clinical specimens, including blood, body fluids, wound swabs, and surgical samples. Your swift work in bacterial identification is vital for directing targeted antibiotic therapy.
• Data Integrity & Systems Management: Utilizing an alphanumeric interface to carefully input, track, and manage patient laboratory data within secure, high-speed electronic health record systems.

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Qualification and Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for this GS-07 role, you must meet specific education, experience, and professional certification standards. This is a Direct Hire Authority recruitment, meaning qualified candidates bypass traditional ranking processes to expedite placement.

Educational and Experience Requirements

You can qualify for this position through professional clinical experience, graduate-level academic education, or a combination of both. Refer to the table below to compare the qualification pathways:

Qualification Pathway	Minimum Requirements	Critical Details
Specialized Experience	1 Year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 level	Experience must include performing complex clinical testing, maintaining diagnostic equipment, and executing quality control procedures.
Graduate Education	1 Full Year of Graduate-Level Education	Must be in a directly related academic field, such as Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or Medical Technology.
Combined Pathway	A percentage-based combination of education & experience	The combined total of your eligible graduate credit hours and documented clinical work experience must equal at least 100%.

Professional Certification (Mandatory)

To secure this role, you must hold an active, valid certification from an approved professional board. Acceptable credentials include:

• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP): Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Medical Technologist (MT), or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS).
• American Medical Technologists (AMT): Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or Medical Technologist (MT).
• Note: Any other comparable certification registry must be formally approved by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD(HA)). You must submit a clear copy of your license or certificate with your application package to prevent being rated ineligible.

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Salary, Compensation, and Position Structure

Understanding the structure of this job opening is key to planning your federal career pathway:

• Salary Range: $50,460 to $65,599 Per Year (includes local market supplements and applicable locality pay for Fort Campbell).
• Incentives: Highly qualified candidates may be eligible for recruitment or relocation incentives. Additionally, candidates who are entirely new to the federal civil service may have the opportunity to negotiate their starting salary steps.
• Appointment Type: This is a Term Appointment not to exceed 13 months. However, the agency possesses the authority to extend the position annually for up to a total of 8 years.
• Conversion Potential: Because this is an active and critical clinical role, the position may be converted to a permanent federal appointment without further public competition, subject to performance and budget availability.
• Obligated Position Note: This is an obligated position, meaning a career civil servant has temporary restoration rights to it (such as during active-duty military deployment). Selected candidates must sign a Memorandum of Agreement acknowledging these terms.

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Comprehensive Federal Benefits Program

When you join the Defense Health Agency, you gain access to one of the most robust benefits packages in the United States. Your total compensation includes:

1. Healthcare and Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance programs (FEHB) with low premiums and diverse plan options, alongside dental and vision plans (FEDVIP).
2. Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a defined-benefit pension plan and matching contributions of up to 5% to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)—the federal government's equivalent of a 401(k).
3. Work-Life Balance: Generous paid annual (vacation) leave, dedicated sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays annually.
4. Career Development: Ongoing training, continuing education opportunities, and potential eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness programs.

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How to Build a Compliant Two-Page Federal Resume

Perhaps the most critical technical constraint of this job posting is the two-page resume rule. The hiring agency has explicitly stated that any resume exceeding two pages will be immediately removed from consideration.

To ensure your resume passes the initial screening, follow these strict guidelines:

• Prioritize Conciseness: Do not write a sprawling, multi-page federal CV. Condense your experience down to the most impactful, relevant clinical achievements.
• Required Job Details: For every single job entry, you must include: the employer's name, job title, exact start and end dates (including Month and Year), the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description of duties.
• Focus on the GS-06/07 Standard: Frame your bullet points around quality control, equipment calibration, troubleshooting, and complex laboratory assays (e.g., blood bank cross-matching and microbial isolation).
• Do Not Include Pictures: Federal resumes containing photos or inappropriate personal details are automatically disqualified.

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Step-by-Step Application Instructions

Ready to apply? Follow these simple steps to ensure your application package is completed properly:

1. Log in to USAJOBS: Go to USAJOBS and access your profile. Ensure your contact details and active phone number are correct.
2. Upload Documents: Upload your two-page resume, a clear copy of your ASCP or AMT certification, and your official or unofficial college transcripts (mandatory if qualifying based on graduate-level education).
3. Start the Online Questionnaire: Click the 'Apply' button within the USAJOBS job post to be redirected to the secure USA Staffing website. Complete the extensive online qualification questionnaire.
4. Confirm Upload Status: It can take up to an hour for uploaded files to clear virus scans. Confirm all files are fully cleared before finalizing.
5. Submit Before the Deadline: Submit your entire application package before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on August 28, 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is telework or remote work available for this position?

No. Because this role involves hands-on clinical laboratory testing, physical sample analysis, and the operation of heavy laboratory equipment, telework and remote options are not available.

Q2: Is drug testing required?

Yes. This is a healthcare position within the Department of Defense. Selected candidates must undergo and pass pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to random drug screens during employment.

Q3: What happens if my resume is longer than two pages?

Your application will be completely excluded from consideration. The HR office will not evaluate any resumes that exceed the strict two-page limit.

Q4: Can military veterans or spouses apply?

Absolutely. While this position is open to all U.S. citizens, military veterans and eligible military spouses are highly encouraged to apply and will receive appropriate consideration alongside all other qualified candidates.

Q5: Are relocation costs reimbursed?

No, the government will not pay relocation or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses for this vacancy. However, highly qualified candidates may receive recruitment or relocation incentives.

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The Medical Technician (GS-07) position at Fort Campbell is more than just a clinical laboratory job; it is an opportunity to directly serve those who protect our nation. By operating within the sophisticated, supportive environment of Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, you will elevate your diagnostic skills, enjoy outstanding federal benefits, and establish a firm foundation for a lifelong career in civil service. Ensure your resume is under two pages, collect your active ASCP/AMT certifications, and submit your application before the August 28, 2026 deadline to secure your chance at this impactful opportunity!