This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The incumbent is a Health Technician performing a variety of clinical and administrative functions.

Duties

Processes a wide variety of complex specimens from hospitalized patients and patients from outpatient and community-based clinics. Receives, routes and stores specimens noting labeling, contamination, hemolysis, shortage or other errors in sampling. Reconciles and verifies sample types and volumes with electronic orders and hard copy requisitions. Ensures samples have the correct UID (Universal Identification) accession number label as appropriate and that label is placed so bar codes are instrument ready. Ensures correct routing of clinical samples to laboratory sections, informing other staff of sample urgency as necessary. Selects the correct method of resolution for problem samples and orders and informs team leader or supervisor of problems that cannot be resolved. May add, delete and cancel tests from existing orders as necessary and according to policy, annotating proper date, time and initials on the sample in addition to who was informed. Performs manual procedures as required during computer down times. Prepares samples, slides, smears, or other types of specimens (i.e., blood, urine, tissue) common to the laboratory. Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer system, syringe, butterfly or capillary finger sticks with minimal number of failures, patient bruising or required repeat collection, ensuring samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with least possible delay. Required to correctly label all blood tubes, instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures and provide service in a friendly, compassionate, veteran centric manner. Verify and evaluate a variety of physician generated test orders for these specimens in VISTA, generates bar coded patient identification labels with laboratory testing accession numbers, affixes the labels to the correct specimens. Prepares and processes a variety of specimen types, recognizing appropriate test requirements according to laboratory information guidelines for shipping and transport. Reviews orders in CPRS to ensure that all necessary orders are drawn. Investigates missing or incomplete patient laboratory orders. Responsible for receiving and storage of laboratory supplies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD03708A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/25/2023. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience with blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer system, syringe, butterfly or capillary finger sticks with minimal number of failures, and patient bruising. Note: This experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four (4) years of education above high school level. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and successfully completed post-high school education. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clinical Data Collection/DocumentationCommunicationsCompliance InspectionComputer SkillsDiagnostic Medical Testing 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 extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting, walking, stooping and stretching. The work requires manual dexterity and a large degree of concentration. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Susan Reynon
• Phone: (808) 726-0496
• Email: [email protected]