Launch Your Career as a Health Technician with the VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to providing world-class healthcare to those who have served our nation. We are currently looking for a talented and compassionate Health Technician to join our team in Richland, Washington. This role is essential for our Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, ensuring that Veterans receive the high-quality, timely care they deserve.

Job Responsibilities

As a Health Technician, your daily tasks will include:

Performing phlebotomy using diverse techniques (vacutainer, butterfly, capillary).
Processing laboratory specimens with high attention to detail.
Assisting clinicians and medical staff with diagnostic support.
Interacting with Veterans to provide guidance and calm during procedures.
Identifying and reporting emergent patient situations immediately.

Comparison: GS-5 vs GS-6 Qualifications

Feature	GS-5 Level	GS-6 Level
Experience Requirement	1 Year specialized	1 Year specialized
Complexity	Standard phlebotomy	Complex patient care
Equipment	Basic medical tools	Specialized clinical equipment
Focus	Fundamental support	Advanced diagnostic support

Requirements

To be considered for this federal appointment, you must:

Be a U.S. Citizen.
Pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Undergo a background investigation.
Participate in the mandatory annual influenza vaccination program.
Possess proficient English language skills.

Salary Overview

This position is structured within the General Schedule (GS) pay system. The annual salary range for this role is $40,736 to $59,031, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

Working for the VA comes with significant advantages, including federal leave accrual, health benefits, and retirement plans. Employees may also be eligible for service credit for prior federal or military service to boost leave accrual rates.

Application Tips

Resume Limit: Keep your resume strictly to two pages or less.
Be Specific: Explicitly state the number of hours worked per week for every job entry.
PDF is Best: Save documents as PDFs to maintain integrity during the upload process.

If you are a skilled healthcare professional looking to apply your talents to a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply. This role offers the opportunity to provide direct, impactful service to Veterans while building a stable career in the federal system.

Why This Health Technician Job Matters

Join the VA team in Richland, WA, and play a vital role in delivering compassionate, high-quality laboratory care to our nation's heroes.

Health Technician Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a dedicated Health Technician to support the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. This role focuses on phlebotomy, specimen processing, and clinical support, ensuring that Veterans receive timely and accurate care in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Requirements for Health Technician

U.S. Citizenship
Proficiency in basic written and spoken English
Completion of a 1-year probationary period
Participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program
Passing a drug screening test
Satisfactory background and security investigation
Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959

Preferred Qualifications for Health Technician

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Professional phlebotomy certification or clinical laboratory training
Proficiency in medical terminology and laboratory specimen requirements
Experience with complex patient care and emergency medical response

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal retirement plan participation
✓Comprehensive health and life insurance options
✓Paid vacation and sick leave
✓Opportunities for professional growth and promotion
✓Service credit for annual leave accrual

💡 How to Apply Health Technician Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Health Technician Job

Create or log in to your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that does not exceed two pages.
Complete the online questionnaire via the provided link.
Upload all required documentation, including transcripts if applicable.
Submit your application package by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date.
Complete any required USA Hire Assessments if notified.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume includes month and year for all start/end dates and hours worked per week.
Use a clear, readable font like Lato or Arial.
Focus on results-oriented language that matches the job requirements.
Save your resume as a PDF to ensure proper formatting.
Review your application status regularly through your USAJOBS dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the promotion potential for this role?

This position has a promotion potential to the GS-6 level, which may be granted without further competition once regulatory and performance requirements are met.

Is a degree required?

You can qualify through a combination of specialized experience or a relevant four-year degree, depending on the grade level for which you are applying.

Do I need a degree?

Not necessarily. You may qualify through specialized experience alone or a combination of education and experience.

Is this a remote role?

No, this is an onsite position in Richland, WA.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. We serve millions of Veterans annually, driven by President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have borne the battle and their families. Joining our team means becoming part of a community dedicated to integrity, commitment, advocacy, and respect.