This position is located under the supervision of the Nurse Manager within the Department of Nursing Service. Assist in the inventory and distribution of various laboratory supplies. Keep all phlebotomy areas clean and safe of any hazard. Maintains phlebotomy carts supplied to assure appropriate and adequate materials are sufficient for required service in a safe manner. Will verify for expiration date of supplies used. Notifies charge nurse if there is a low count of supplies in stock.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Collects and delivers all blood samples to the laboratory with quality, safety and within the acceptable time frame. Adhere to special instruction in handling specimens such as: "send in ice, chilled, warm, and protecting specimens from direct light. Double verify to assure all tourniquets are removed when finishing procedure and prior to leaving room. Keep all phlebotomy area and cart, clean and safe of any hazard and will verify for expiration date of supplies used. Obtain blood specimens at bedside using aseptic venipunctures techniques and complies with all the hospital safety regulation and universal standards precaution on how to discard used needles, contaminated materials and use and removal of tourniquets. Show expertise on the procedure to follow with patients on contact isolation rooms. Always use the accepted and approved 2 patient's identifiers prior to performing procedures. Collect multiple blood specimens from venipuncture and from central lines following policy and procedures Label all collection tubes following hospital guidelines for patient safety. Work Schedule: 3AM-7AM including weekends and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD09959A Physical Requirements: Able to reach for or carrying supplies weighing up to 25 lbs. Able to be prolonged periods of time standing, bending, pushing carts and long walking. In many situations the duration of these activities (such as most of the workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Frequent trips to the various wards and locations in the V ACHS are required. Required sharp eyesight in order to perform the job. The job requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment and High Efficiency Purified Air (HEPA) mask according to patient's condition. Escort selected patients as requested by Nurse Manager, if Escort Service is not available on a specific time.

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. Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. or Education and Training For GS-5: 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 directly related to the position. 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: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 1) Ability to operate with dexterity and safety. 2) Promotes infection prevention and control. Demonstrates application of the principles of infection control in all activities (i. e. proper hand washing procedures, etc.). Understands and utilizes standard precautions and uses proper protective equipment. 3) Knowledge of medical information and/or terminology related to the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of human injuries and diseases. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions and preventive health care measures. Understands and uses medical and surgical terminology. 4) Uses proper specimen collection techniques (phlebotomy/venipuncture, finger sticks, urine, sputum, tissue, etc.); selects appropriate site for sample collection to minimize patient discomfort; uses correct containers and labels; monitors patients for adverse reaction. 5) Works and communicates with clients and customers (e.g., any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit provides, including individuals who work in your agency or in other agencies or organizations outside the Government) to satisfy their expectations. (Note) Please ensure your resume detail the special experience needed for consideration. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of education and experience equivalent to the requirements for a GS-5.Note: Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. Preferred Experience: Proficient in Spanish and English language, orally and written. 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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Rebecca Bretzer
• Phone: 407-319-3059
• Email: [email protected]