This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Iowa City, Iowa. The Medical Technician - Phlebotomy develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory collections, labeling, identifying and ensuring testing is sent at appropriate conditions for send out testing.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Collection and specimen processing are performed routinely on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using multiple techniques and requires exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with supervision; and the work requires a practical knowledge of the techniques. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Performs phlebotomy and follows current CLSI guidelines. Ensures two patient identifiers and active communication is used with each blood draw and specimen collection. Draws tubes in the correct order in, accordance with the Medical Center policies and procedures. Processes Ward Specimens Collection Lists, STAT and Timed draws, and reviews the collection list for uncollected orders and resolves the uncollected status. Uses special drawing techniques and assuring that proper tubes are used in the correct order and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Assists in teaching laboratory and medical center personnel and phlebotomy and Medical Laboratory Science students on theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy, specimen collection, and specimen requirements. Processes specimens using complex instrumentation such as the front-end instrumentation, or centrifuges, and transfers specimens to daughter tubes for storage, and/or testing. to analyze body fluids and other substances to support pathologists in defining the presence of infection or other irregular disorders. Receives calls, takes orders, locates results, adds tests to existing orders, explains collection procedures, handling requirements and any special requirements for esoteric testing Investigates and documents processing, labeling, collection and other specimen errors using incident reports. Package and ship diagnostic specimens to reference labs, in accordance with 49 CFR, DOT and IATA regulations; to meet the transporting requirements and proper labeling for shipping hazardous materials. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8am until 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. ~AND~ To qualify for this position, you must meet the following Selective Placement Factor: This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.~AND~ In addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency and Selective Placement Factor, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. NOTE: 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~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of post-high school educationand specialized experience, as described above. Note: only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. 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 as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen Collection IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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 requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand/eye coordination, some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, bending, sitting over a microscope and concentrate for long periods of time while reading specimens and to stand for several consecutive hours during the preparation of specimens. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Position requires lifting of reagent containers weighing up to 35 pounds. The work requires duty on weekends, holidays, and nights when so assigned. The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, carts, or machines; with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals. Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, ear plugs, lab coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk. Adherence to safety and Universal precautions and use of protective gear are mandatory to reduce occupational risk factors. 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

IMPORTANT: 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 Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]