The incumbent serves as a Health Technician at the VA Portland Healthcare System.

Duties

Responsible for timely and accurate collection, accessioning, processing, and distribution of laboratory specimens. Processes and labels specimens into the laboratory according to laboratory procedures. Prioritizes specimens by urgency and distributes each specimen to the appropriate pathology laboratory section for testing. Responsible for storage and preparation of specimens for send-out testing. Prepares test requisitions for all send-out tests according to the reference lab's specifications. Ensures that results are returned for all tests sent out. Maintains filing system for send-out tests order requisitions and results. Serves as contact person for referral laboratories. Answers or directs routine inquiries from telephone calls or visitors. Communicates standard laboratory procedures and practices to Medical Center staff and resolves problems with specimens received by the laboratory according to P&LMS policy. Collects and processes biohazard waste for disposal. Collects and cleans glassware, plastics, and other lab equipment according to washroom procedure. Provides teaching and guidance to other health technicians, students, and volunteers. Monitors inventory and replenishes laboratory supplies. Performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance on designated laboratory equipment. Monitors temperature on refrigerators, freezers, ovens, incubators, and other designated laboratory equipment. Maintains filing system for anatomic pathology reports, microscope slides, paraffin blocks, and worksheets. Prepares laboratory records for archival storage. Prepares cytology smears and cell blocks. Acts as an autopsy assistant, preparing the body for the funeral home by replacing the organs and suturing the body and head cavities closed. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD213680 Physical Requirements: Requires walking, sitting, lifting up to 35 pounds, listening, speaking, intermittent bending, and long periods of standing. Must be able to move bodies in the morgue unassisted.

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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet Specialized Experience within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. In addition to meeting the English language proficiency, the below specialized experience and/or education must be met in order to qualify for this position. You may qualify based on your specialized education and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience includes but not limited: Knowledge of the activities, functions, and policies of a clinical laboratory; Track specimens through collection, testing, and reporting process; Distributes specimens to appropriate laboratory for testing; Knowledge of variations in anatomy; knowledge of hospital materials and skill in their use; skill and precision in the use of tools, materials and equipment; knowledge of specialized terminology associated with the work in the facility. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond post high school education as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. For the GS-05, only education in excess of 60 semester hours (2 years) is creditable. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Gabriella Granderson
• Phone: (281) 928-2981
• Email: [email protected]