This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-6. At the GS-5 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-6 Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Major duties and responsibilities will include: Phlebotomy: Performs Phlebotomy duties on both inpatients and outpatients for clinical laboratory testing. Applies special drawing techniques, assuring that proper tubes are used, and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Stocks blood drawing and processing supplies in the receiving area and blood drawing room. Instruct patients on proper collection of specimens for timed and random testing. Draws all but the most difficult patients and follows proper procedures for redrawing blood; develops the essential speed required to complete the blood drawing duties. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood. Accessioning: Utilize Vista and CPRS (Computerized Patient Record System) for receipt, verification, and processing of patient samples. Receives and prepares requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Handles receiving and processing of Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) samples. Enters Research and Referral patients testing samples into Vista. Reviews the shipping manifests form for each CBOC to ensure all specimens listed on the shipping manifest are accounted for. Accesses the orders for each patient in VISTA and verifies that the types of tests accessioned by the staff match the test ordered by the CBOC on the shipping manifest. Monitors and follows up on missing samples for the laboratory. Uses computer to query patient demographics, laboratory test requests, test order status and test descriptions. Uses computer to order, delete or amend laboratory tests, build collection lists, print collection lists and labels, and log in collection of specimens. Uses centrifuges and other laboratory equipment and supplies to process specimens after collection. Sorts aliquots and distributes specimens throughout the laboratory and to other hospital and referral labs. Answers queries from physicians. nurses and other hospital staff regarding test requirements. processing instructions, test order status. Routes calls to the proper section of the lab. Reference/Send Out Testing: Receives all specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratories for testing. Processes all reference laboratory specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Maintains a record of all specimens submitted to the reference laboratories by printing accessioning forms and shipping manifests. Orders supplies provided by the commercial reference including specimen containers, test requisitions, and computer supplies. Packages specimens with various temperature requirements to meet the federal guidelines for shipping diagnostic specimens and biohazardous materials. Scans in laboratory results for send outs tests that do not cross automatically. Drug Screens/Ancillary Testing: Performs employee drug screen by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) split specimen collection method and will maintain the change of custody for that sample. Responsible for maintaining all appropriate education for collecting Drug Screen samples. Assists the Ancillary Testing Coordinator. Performs validation, linearity, and quality control associated with these tests. Work Schedule: Multiple shifts available, 6:00am - 2:30pm; 6:30am -3:00pm; 8:00am - 4:30pm, 9:00am - 5:30pm, 12:00pm - 8:30pm, Monday-Friday, rotating Weekends and Holidays. 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. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in Federal service performing 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. This experience must be documented in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ A bachelor's degree or 4 years of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position (such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc.). Transcripts required. ~OR~ An equivalent combination of successfully completed specialized experience and post-high school education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Your experience must be documented, and transcripts are required. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in Federal service performing 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. This experience must be documented in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ Successful completion of at least one-half year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Transcripts required. ~OR~ An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Medical Technician position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: ClericalDiagnostic Medical TestingTechnical Competence 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 much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office equipment. The positions required the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. The health tech may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics within the workweek depending on the clinic workload. The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance of laboratory work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions. Environment may involve infectious diseases, contact with or disposal of body secretions, verbal and physical abuse from emotionally distraught individuals and/or working around equipment. 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]