The position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) at the Hudson Valley VA Health Care Systems. The incumbent performs a variety of functions including: accessions specimens into computer system, use the HOWDY system, collects, evaluates and processes patient specimens, answers questions relative to patient specimens, instructs and assists patients, and processes send-out specimens for testing.

Duties

Performs Diagnostic Procedures: Incumbent collects and processes specimens obtained for analyses throughout P&LMS and associated reference laboratories, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patients and the quality of the specimen. The incumbent performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatients, outpatients, and urgent room when needed. Collections should be completed with a minimal number of failures, bruising or re-sticks, and ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. The use of a syringe or butterfly may be required in obtaining difficult specimens. During collection procedures, the incumbent makes gross visual observation and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, notifying appropriate emergency personnel as needed. Patient Care: He/she secures the confidence and cooperation of patient during phlebotomy, explains procedure, and positions patients for desired results. Special attention should be given to explaining any post phlebotomy procedure that may be needed, such as applying extra pressure and leaving bandage in place for extended period of time to patients on blood thinners, and any concerns that may arise from the patient. Clerical Support/ Coordination: Navigate through the procedure of checking patients into the phlebotomy area, taking care to follow protocol. This includes checking 2 forms of ID, logging patients in, and accessioning into the computer for the proper labels. These duties will be performed in a friendly, courteous manner utilizing appropriate customer service skills. The patient's correct identification (two different types) must always be established prior to obtaining any specimen. Generated labels must match the test requisition slips or the electronic request, and the patient's identification. All specimens must be properly labeled. Specimen Processing, Send Outs, Employee Urine Drug Screen Collection: Receives and sorts specimens collected from inpatients, outpatients, and all CBOC's, checks request slips for proper information, logs in specimen, and delivers specimens to various laboratory sections. The incumbent also operates centrifuges, reporting any malfunction to Supervisor, as needed. He/she evaluates temperature requirements of refrigerator on the wards as needed. Processes specimens for send out to reference laboratories by centrifuging, separating, storing specimens at the appropriate temperature, and creates appropriate manifests for specimen being sent. Collects employee urine drug screen as scheduled or requested by Human Resources. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Varied Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD02236A Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing, sitting, walking and bending with occasional moderate lifting.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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; Maintaining records of procedures. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. 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 Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. 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. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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.

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.

Contacts

• Address Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hospital 2094 Albany Post Road Montrose, NY 10548 US
• Name: Sarah Cassidy
• Email: [email protected]