The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. The Student Trainee (Medical Technician), GS-04, in the Iowa City VA Laboratory is a temporary, part-time position designed to provide experience in phlebotomy, specimen processing, and patient care for a student currently enrolled in an approved academic program. The student performs on-the-job training and work assignments covering direct patient contact.

Duties

This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/. The student performs on-the-job training and work assignments covering direct patient contact; understanding and dealing with various medical orders (path and lab); working with digital patient records; being introduced into a variety of settings within the medical center and to couple education with employment as a part of the formal student employment program. Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Draws blood from outpatients and/or for inpatients. Acts on any patient adverse events. Performs specimen processing duties to include specimen receipt and accessioning, centrifugation, labeling and aliquoting of specimens, and distribution of specimens to appropriate departments. Performs other duties as assigned. Conversion Potential: The intern may be considered for a noncompetitive conversion to a GS-5/6/7, Medical Technician (0645) provided that the intern completes at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program while enrolled as a full-time or part-time, degree- or certificate-seeking student. Work Schedule: 16-20 hours per week, the student has flexibility in working with the supervisor to determine a work schedule that does not interfere with his/her academic schedule.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/04/2024. Internship Program: To be eligible, applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: General Experience: You must have one year of general experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. This experience must have provided you with or familiarity with certain knowledge, skills, and competencies related to the Student Trainee (Medical Technician) position. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. (Transcripts Required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equivalent combination of general experience and post-high school education beyond one year. (Transcripts Required) Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareSpecimen 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Physical Demands: The work requires physical requirements that go beyond merely sitting at a table and/or desk but recurring physical exertion such as normal standing and bending when in phlebotomy and using medical phlebotomy chairs which lift electronically or manually. Normal walking up and down hallways to meet and relocate patients, stooping and stretching for medical equipment and supplies weighing no more than 15 pounds. When necessary, use of the pneumatic tube system involves pulling, lifting and inserting larger carriers. The work requires duty on weekends, holidays, and evenings when so assigned. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Students must possess an acceptable average G.P.A. as defined by the educational institution to be eligible for appointment and to remain eligible for participation in the Program. As applicable, at the time of appointment and upon request, students must demonstrate an overall Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale as recorded on the official transcript.

Contacts

• Address Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Kenneth Kelly
• Phone: 701-232-3241 X3653
• Email: [email protected]