These positions are located within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Medical Technician - Phlebotomist position involves a wide variety of duties involving specimen collection, processing, and preparation of specimens for transport, while assuring accuracy of identification and integrity of specimens for routine and specialized testing throughout all processes.

Duties

***THESE ARE NOT VIRTUAL POSITIONS - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: Performs positive (active) identification of patients and specimens through entire process of specimen collections, accessioning, processing, and storage/distribution of patient specimens to clinical laboratory departments; Evaluates and interprets patient orders in the computer to determine which testing may be accessioned and performed; Performs phlebotomy using appropriate and established venipuncture techniques and universal precautions; Uses good judgement to determine potential patient reactions, best needle gauge, butterfly, fingerstick device, warming devices, syringe, transfer devices and appropriate cleansing and preparation of collection site; Observes patient tolerance and implement emergent actions; Adheres to "order of draw" procedures; Draws sufficient quantities for all ordered tests and performs all special handling or time requirements; Maintains complete and accurate labeling of all sample and aliquots; Performs morning/fasting/STAT collections within the appropriate timeframes; Performs a variety of laboratory procedures including volumetric measurements, preparation of solutions (i.e. glucose and lactose tolerance test solutions), and preparation of samples for analysis by centrifugation; Maintains equipment, supplies and facilities; Maintains laboratory records and performs clerical duties; and Performs all other duties as assigned. 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. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - day, evening and night shifts with rotating weekends/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. ~AND~ To qualify for this position at the GS-5 level, you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, 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 in excess of 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) 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: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen Collection 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 prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds and carrying of items, to lean over patients and equipment and to work while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). In other situations, in the laboratory, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity, such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or color differentiation. Finger dexterity and hand eye coordination required to find hard to locate veins and to handle needles and tubes while maintaining adequate blood flow for collection in some areas, performing morning rounds, employees may be required to travel between buildings in the dark or walking in weather to buildings which are not accessible through tunnels. 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 WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]