The incumbent serves as a Health Technician (Processing) in the Roseburg VA Healthcare System Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services. The incumbent 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. Each of these functions is a percentage of his/her total time on duty.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to; Specimen Receipt and Processing- The incumbent is responsible for receiving and preparing requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies, which may cause erroneous test results. Confers with Medical Technologists on any questions of specimen integrity. Accessions all requests into the hospital computer system. Uses order entry by multipurpose ordering option and other laboratory computer options such as accessioning by ward order entry. Must properly use approximately 200 computer codes for laboratory tests. Receives telephonic inquires and corrects discrepancies with hospital personnel. Incumbent follows procedures for processing biological specimens, understands sample requirements for tests and clearly communicates those requirements. S/he separates and routes the specimens to the specific laboratory section that performs the testing. Reference Laboratory Specimen Processing- The incumbent receives all specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratories for testing. The volume of testing sent to the commercial reference laboratories is approximately 150-200 specimens per day. The individual must be knowledgeable about the specimen requirement for each reference laboratory test and the test ordering procedures for each of the reference laboratories. S/he verifies proper patient preparation, specimen collection, and specimen transport requirements for all reference laboratory tests. The incumbent identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous test results. S/he makes sound decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems pertaining to reference laboratory tests. The incumbent processes all reference laboratory specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. This requires knowledge of differing requirements for approximately 300 laboratory tests. This includes specialized procedures for infrequently ordered reference tests. S/he contacts the reference laboratories to research the requirements on new tests that are not identified in the reference laboratory directories. In the processing of the specimens, the individual uses laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers, in addition to consumables such as transfer pipettes, laboratory pour-off tubes and reference laboratory specimen containers. The incumbent must assure the equipment is in good working order before use. On occasion, the individual is required to measure the volume of a specimen or adjust the pH of a urine specimen prior to sending the test to the reference laboratory. This requires the knowledge to package specimens with various temperature requirements and meet the federal guidelines for shipping diagnostic specimens and biohazardous materials. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD30652A 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. Entering patient information, test orders, and data in a computer may result in physical problems form the effects of repetitive motion and eyestrain. Laboratory instrumentation makes constant noises which could lead to hearing loss over long periods of exposure. The position may also require assisting geriatric and/or disabled patients. The incumbent must have normal color vision.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Use of proper specimen collection techniques such as phlebotomy, venipuncture, finger sticks, urine; Collects, processes, & stores samples according to general collection protocols. Uses proper infection control, laboratory safety, and universal precautions when collecting samples. Performs various technical laboratory procedures such as computer test access, computer search for past and future patient lab orders. Uses a computer to access data and communicate results to physicians, nurses, and other authorized medical staff. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. Preferred Experience: 1 Year of Phlebotomy 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, and loud noises. 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. 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

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

Contacts

• Address Roseburg VA Medical Center 913 Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard Roseburg, OR 97471 US
• Name: V. Edina Astheimer
• Phone: 208-422-1000 X7652
• Email: [email protected]