This position is located at the VA Medical Center in Bedford, MA. The Medical Technician is responsible for performing multiple duties in the central accessioning and specimen processing area. These complex duties include reference laboratory specimen processing, clerical functions, patient testing, and outpatient phlebotomy as necessary.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties include, but are not limited to: Receives and prepare requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Receives telephonic inquires and communicating results to appropriate personnel. Follows procedures for processing biological specimens, understands sample requirements for tests and clearly communicates those requirements. Follows detailed instructions to operate various types of laboratory equipment, i.e. Centrifuge and barcode reader. Receives all specimens that are sent to VA and commercial reference laboratories for testing. Accepts or enters all requests for reference laboratory testing in the VISTA computer system. Processes all reference laboratory specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Maintain a record of all specimens submitted to the reference laboratories by printing accessioning forms and shipping manifests. Provide testing services for three Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOCs) located in Haverhill, Lynn, and Gloucester. Perform a limited amount of patient testing which includes but is not limited to urine pregnancy and fecal occult blood testing. Manage the scheduling of new employees for Drug Testing (DT) Collection using the laboratory Drug Testing scheduling system. Draws blood from outpatients for requested laboratory test. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am until 4:30pm. May be subject to an occasional change in tour duty with appropriate notification based on staffing needs. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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.

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 to meet the requirements of this position. ~AND~ EXPERIENCE: Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) 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. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. ~OR~ EDUCATION: 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. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) ~ OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above. Note: only education more than the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application). ~AND~ 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to DetailCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Knowledge Management 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 involves moderate risks or discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurring exposure to hazards such as infectious materials, chemicals, electrical appliances. The incumbent takes special safety precautions and must use protective clothing and devises such as gloves, face shields, eye protector, and safety shields in accordance with OSHA guidelines. The incumbent's dress and personal appearance should reflect the professional image of a healthcare worker. 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 VA Bedford Healthcare System 200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]