The Medical Technician performs phlebotomy and provides technical support to the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) and clinic providers that utilize Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) services in Ft Smith, Arkansas. The medical technician performs a variety of duties which are interrelated ensuring timely and proper procurement and processing of specimens for analysis in the laboratory.

Duties

Draws blood from VHSO inpatients and outpatients for requested laboratory tests using special drawing techniques assuring proper tubes are used and the correct amount of blood drawn. Verifies the patient as the individual denoted on the request and labels, all tubes with patient's name, social security number, date, and time to ensure proper identification. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood; this includes such things as replacing bed rails, removing tourniquets, and wearing gloves. Completes draws on all but the most difficult patients and follows proper procedures for redrawing blood. Collecting timed specimens such as growth hormone, peak and trough drug levels, glucose and lactose tolerance specimen, instructing patients in procedures to be followed prior, during and after tests, making schedules for a patient to follow in order to obtain the correct blood specimens at the required time. Drawing cross match samples following all drawing and patient identification requirements. Collects blood cultures. Provides appropriate patient care before and after the specimen is obtained. Instructs patients in proper sterile midstream urine collection, 24-hour urine collection, and collection of specimens for culture and sensitivities, ova and parasites, and occult bloods. Assists in teaching laboratory personnel, VSHO personnel, and students from affiliated training programs the theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy, specimen collection, and specimen requirements. Responds, reports, and assists in emergency situations. Performs first aid procedures for the care of patients who become sick, arrest, or faint while having blood drawn. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn. Receives all requests for testing into the laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Answers incoming calls for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS). Replenishes necessary supplies in the work area, collection trays, and specimen collection stations. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Thursday thru Sunday, 09:00 pm - 07:00 am (subject to change based on the needs of the agency). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD03115A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. 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, 10/11/2023. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), One of the below must be met. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 1. 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. OR, 2. Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement, one of the below must be met. 1. GENERAL and SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 6 months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to collect urine samples, use correct containers and labels, and draw blood specimens. or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with laboratory and processing various types of specimens AND Possess 6 months of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to this Medical Technician position to be filled. Specialized experience includes Knowledge of the techniques of medical laboratory practice in one or more clinical (medical) laboratory areas of work (such as, blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology); and practical knowledge of human anatomy. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable. (Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience are not required by OPM standard to have general experience) OR, 2. SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Have 2 years above high school with courses related to the Medical Technician occupation. 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. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR, 3. COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-4 level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) Selective Placement Factor: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. 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 some physical exertion such as regular and recurring long periods of standing, walking, bending and lifting. The work may require the position to assist in the lifting of equipment or patients. 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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: SooJin Rademacher
• Phone: 512-915-6978
• Email: [email protected]