The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Hampton VA Medical Center, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Hampton, VA,. The Health Technician (Phlebotomist) performs duties in the receiving, accessioning and specimen processing area including collecting chain of custody drug screens, reference laboratory specimen processing, clerical functions, patient testing, and phlebotomy.

Duties

Properly identified patients utilizing the full name and social security number before collecting, processing and /or hospital computer entry of requests Compares orders from multiple physicians and request the medical technologist to combine the orders. Properly identifies, labels and collection blood bank specimens for STAT and routine testing while next to the patient bedside or chair side. Must be proficient in phlebotomizing patient in varying debilitation (i.e., paralysis, stroke, mentally unstable, spinal cord injuries in fetal position and contractures). Performs phlebotomy using specialized techniques for cleansing the blood collection site to prevent bacterial contamination that's critical to patient care, to ensure the contamination rate of blood cultures remains with in guidelines with blood culture contamination. Selects proper vacutainer tubes for testing using various sized needles, and/or butterfly collection devices to collect appropriate specimens. Organizes work in the collection room to ensure optimal patient flow. Keeps phlebotomy work areas, carts, and storages clean, well-stocked and organized with supplies. Answers telephone in the main laboratory assist with collection questions and refer other question to the medical technologist on duty. Administers first aid, if necessary, to counteract unfavorable patient reactions. Provides care based on physical, psychosocial, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served. In patient emergencies, completes appropriate alert notifications, or initiates emergency patient treatment procedures, to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other basic patient support functions. Monitors patients or directs monitoring of patients during and after procedures. Provides training and guidance in phlebotomy techniques to intern students, volunteers, medical technologist and new hires when directed. Responsible for receiving and preparing requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and evaluates the acceptability of each specimen, documents discrepancies, and resolves potential problems. Records refrigerator and freezer temperatures at all sites. Will be required to order, receive and store laboratory supplies upon arrival at all sites. Documentation must be organized, accurate and legible. Performs CLIA-waived Fecal Occult Blood and other rapid testing on patients while recording, reagent lot numbers, quality control, and reports and verifies test results. Reports unresolved issues to the supervisor immediately. Travels to all associated clinics to collect specimens and transport them to Hampton VA laboratories for testing. Coordinates with Human Resources (HR) and Employee Occupational Health (EOH) to schedule pre-employment and random drug screens collections. Paperwork and processing for the sample is done by the same person and all forms are submitted with required information before the sample is packaged and sealed for shipping. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts; Monday-Friday between 06:00am and 7:30pm, Weekend and Holiday Rotations Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD28810A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience 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-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: (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 positions being filled; and, experience performing phlebotomy/blood draw procedures on human patients. (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: Phlebotomy and specimen processing. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen 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. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a laboratory atmosphere and requires regular and physical exertion such as walking, bending, recurrent standing and moderate lifting. The work requires specific physical characteristics and abilities and dexterity needed to perform intricate analytical and technical procedures. The position may also require assisting geriatric and/or disabled patients. The incumbent must have normal color vision, pass mask fit testing, and complete Heart Savers training. Work Environment: 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 work is performed involves regular and recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, odors, and other risks that require special health and safety precautions. The incumbent takes special safety precautions and must use protective clothing and devises such as gloves, face shields, and safety shields in accordance with OSHA guidelines. Fit testing, gloves and the use of gowns are required for isolation patients. 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

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/.

Contacts

• Address Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Michael Schultz
• Phone: 804-274-9694
• Email: [email protected]