Position is with the Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System (EOVAHCS) in the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service. The multi-skilled Health Technician performs a wide range of functions which include compliance to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and The Joint Commission regulations for laboratory testing, clerical, and health technician functions. The Health Technician uses knowledge of technical methods and procedures to carry out a variety of essential duties.

Duties

Independently cleans exam rooms; ensures proper cleaning and performs minor maintenance of laboratory equipment; orders, maintains, re-stocks all supplies utilized in the clinic. Ensures all quality control materials are run and acceptable daily or as required by regulations. Receives patients for medical laboratory testing; collects lab specimens, applies dressings, and/or adjusts supportive equipment; processes tissue cultures and specimen samples related to pathology testing; contacts providers to correct order errors and/or place orders if patient arrives with no orders. Advises professional staff on center, lab, and testing policy. Prepares patient for blood and/or urine collection according to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CAP) and The Joint Commission (TJC) guidelines; accepts patient orders; prints labels, selects proper tubes/containers and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); labels specimens in front of patient. Follows proper patient preparation and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandages patient appropriately following collection. Per the National Patient Safety requirement ABSOLULTELY uses 2 identifiers to properly identify patient. Properly collects and handles various specimens including venous blood; collects blood on ward rounds and other designated blood collection areas; collects blood samples by venipuncture or arterial puncture and accurately labels blood tubes/other collection containers; instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures. Collects microbiology specimens in support of the VA's initiative to reduce transmission of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Maintains adequate quota of sterile and non-sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment; checks for outdated supplies/items. Prepares specimens to be sent to outside laboratories; assures proper specimen was collected; records in send-out book; puts specimen in proper receptacle; packages specimen to maintain correct temperature during shipping; completes and checks paperwork to send specimen to correct laboratory; ensures returned send-out results are entered into computer. Receives and accessions specimens from EOVAHCS inpatients/outpatients; correctly accessions testing for referral and research specimens. Administers and collects specimens for employee drug screening program; completes required chain of custody paperwork; packages for shipment to testing facility. Coordinates all aspects of special conditions testing such as procuring specialized collection kits; determines correct handling environment for each specimen submitted for referral laboratory testing. Prepares electronic and manual test requisitions and manifests; prepares, packages and dispatches specimens to appropriate referral laboratory; utilizes secure access to private referral laboratory databases for test research, requisition, and results. Solves technical specimen problems and discrepancies. Manages CBOC packaging and shipping supply inventory; ensures in-clinic availability of required materials for safe, legal transport of biological specimens. Receives all package deliveries to laboratory; signs for receipt/acceptance of possession; evaluates specimen integrity, correctness of specimen type, quantity, age, and condition upon receipt; reconciles physical specimens received against printed manifest document. Answers telephone calls; coordinates information and actions relating to patient care and services; assists patients, visitors, and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Monitors humidity and temperature charts for laboratory; reports any readings outside of normal compliance with regulatory standards for maintaining supplies. Sets-up necessary accessories or supplies; advises medical personnel of new equipment, accessories, or supplies. Facilitates release of information from patient medical records; protects confidentiality of patient's medical records. Facilitates training for Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Medical Technologists, and Medical Technology students for phlebotomy skills. Ensures fire, safety, disaster, and infection control procedures are implemented. Possesses knowledge and skills required to effectively implement Green Environmental Management System (GEMS); competency monitored by ability to demonstrate through implementation process that sufficient education/training has been provided; monitoring performed by annual audits, questionnaires, and trending of staff knowledge. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not authorized Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD14453A PCS: Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Time-in-Grade Requirement: Applicant 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS05. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been in the Federal Service. A 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. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Minimum Qualifications for the GS 6 level Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. AND Specialized Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-05. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position to be filled-in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: 1) Technical Competence - set controls, calibrated and operated equipment and instruments such as occult blood analyzer; properly cleaned laboratory equipment; performed minor maintenance of laboratory equipment; maintained records for point of care testing and maintenance of laboratory equipment: 2) Diagnostic Medical Testing - used proper clinical procedures to perform occult blood testing, measured and recorded vital statistics, adhered to quality and infection control protocols; 3) Specimen Collection - used proper specimen collection techniques such as phlebotomy/venipuncture, finger sticks, urine, sputum, and tissue, used correct containers and labels, monitored patient for adverse reactions; 4) Customer Service - worked with clients and customers to assess their needs, provided information or assistance, resolved problems; 5) Patient Care - possess knowledge of direct patient care techniques such as activities of daily living, ambulating patients, infection control, emergency response appropriate safety precautions; OR, Education: Applicants may qualify for this position by substituting at least 6 months of graduate education or an internship for specialized experience only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Physical Requirements: The work requires much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirement to lift objects, computer work, and operating office equipment. The positions require the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. The incumbent may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics within the workweek, depending on the clinic workload. 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

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing 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 VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]