The primary purpose of this position is to collect patient blood specimens, accept orders from physicians, and to instruct and assist patients. The physical location of this position's primary duties is the Outpatient Phlebotomy Room and the Clinical Laboratory at the Syracuse VA Medical Center.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs patient care procedures such as the collection of blood and urine specimens. This activity provides specimens to the Clinical Laboratory for further testing. Properly identifies the patient, draws blood from patients for analysis and other medical purposes. Is proficient with proper phlebotomy techniques using both straight needles and butterfly collection devices. Adheres to all safety, PPE, and infectious disease protocols for safe specimen collections. Performs fingerstick collection for point of care testing. Ensures proper labeling and handling of the collected specimen. In order to complete acceptable work, the employee must understand and practice the following: correct identification of the patient, proper aseptic technique, proper phlebotomy technique, and appropriate customer service. Additional responsibilities include assisting in revising the Phlebotomy Manual, training new employees and students in Phlebotomy practices. Provides technical assistance in the Clinical Laboratory sections of the Laboratory including core lab, microbiology, anatomic pathology, and the laboratory administrative office on a rotating an basis. Receives and directs patients to appropriate areas of the facility. Responds to inquiries from patients and staff concerning a variety of medical and administrative matters, and answers questions as appropriate. Converses with patient as a means to establish rapport in efforts to diminish patient fear of a procedure, provide patient with confidence in the incumbent's knowledge and skills, and maintains a professional and compassionate demeanor towards patients before, during, and after procedures. Performs administrative tasks. This includes accessioning of patient specimens, maintaining quality control records, receiving and labeling of patient specimens, and answering telephone inquiries. Designated Drug-Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm including weekend and holiday rotation. Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Aid and Technician/21R91A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. **Preferred Experience** - at least one (1) year of Phlebotomy experience, to include drawing blood and various other collections and processing specimens. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: understanding policies and procedures as related to patient care; performing phlebotomy techniques, procedures and other specimen collection procedures; setting up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures; instructing patients in the proper procedures to follow prior, during and after test; preparing referral specimens for shipment; performing all clerical duties; and maintaining records of procedures. Knowledge of or experience in accepting and preparing specimens in the clinical and anatomic pathology laboratory. 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. OR, Have you successfully completed a 2 or 4-year course of study leading to a associates/bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR, Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and completion of a phlebotomy certification program to obtain experience to meet total qualification requirements. 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may requires lifting of equipment or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.91596733

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 Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Susan Malecki
• Phone: (716) 862-3293
• Email: [email protected]