This position works for the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) and covers the following major sections: Chemistry, Immunology, Urinalysis, Hematology, Coagulator, and Toxicology.

Duties

Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques of urine, stool, or other fluid collections Interacts with patients, visitors, staff, students and volunteers in a courteous, helpful, tactful, cooperative, respectful and compassionate manner Responds positively and in a timely manner to customer requests for service or information Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately Identifies patients and ensure proper sample procurement and specimen labeling Assesses patient condition before, during, and after procedures Administers initial intervention in the event of an emergency Observes and reports any physical or mental changes during patient blood draws Prepares samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, decanting and aliquoting, etc Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer systems, syringe, butterfly, and/or capillary finger sticks Collects blood specimens, using correct container and order of draw Collects urine specimens and cultures in a manner that preserves the integrity of sample Processes emergency specimens and routine specimens in a timely manner Follows proper protocol for specialty blood draws Evaluates the suitability of specimens Prepares electronic requisitions for samples to be sent to the reference laboratories Uses a computer to retrieve laboratory test information Performs computerized accessioning of patient specimens Identifies inpatients and outpatients for whom laboratory tests have been ordered, and prints labels for appropriate blood samples Understands and utilizes information resource technology (i.e. computers, printers, label printers, copy machines, phones, fax machines, various computer information packages, etc.) Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations associated with phlebotomy Collects specimens using proper patient identification and specimen labeling Maintains operational and quality control logs, records, and worksheets Identifies unusual test results or discrepancies/conditions that can lead to erroneous results Processes of mailout samples going to reference and other VA laboratories Collection and processing of Federal Drug Testing Chain of Custody specimens Performs all other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Part-Time, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, or, 12:30PM - 4:30 PM, must be available for either tour, Monday through Friday - Subject to change based on organizational needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD03112A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is covered by AFGE bargaining unit. Per the AFGE Master Agreement, the Area of Consideration will be: 1st Area of Consideration - Current Facility and CBOC employees; 2nd Area of Consideration - VA Nationwide applicants; 3rd Area of Consideration - Other Status candidates

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/06/2023. *A recruitment or retention incentive may be approved for highly qualified candidates* This position includes an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). Applicants who meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below are fully qualified for the specified entry grade and must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements. The IOR for this position is: Specialized Experience: Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings, or 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. OR Education and Training: 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. This position also includes a Selective Placement Factor (SPF) (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). SPFs 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. In addition to meeting the above Selective Place Factor (SPF) and Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also meet the experience and/or directly related education relevant to this position. 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 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 in carrying out a variety of routine and non-routine laboratory tests. Experience with written and oral communication. Experience with obtaining samples. Experience with maintaining laboratory equipment. Experience with preparing reagents and reference material OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required (transcripts required).OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (Transcripts required). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen Collection 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 regular and recurrent standing, bending, lifting of some heavy containers, trips to wards for specimen collection, handling of uncooperative patients occasionally, and walking a lot between several sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. May require reaching and bending to obtain supplies and operation of instruments. Occasionally lifts 20 to 40-pound containers of liquid reagent 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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Lesa Lang
• Phone: 804-675-5000
• Email: [email protected]