The Health Technician (Phlebotomy) position is located within the Nursing, Ambulatory Care Service Line of the Montana VA Health Care System and is responsible for collecting, evaluating and processing patient specimens according to policy/procedure established by the service, health care system, VA and regulatory agencies.

Duties

The Health Technician (Phlebotomy) performs a variety of functions to include accessioning specimens into the computer system; collecting, evaluating, and processing patient specimens; answering questions related to sample collection; instructing and assisting patients and sending out specimens for testing. Duties include, but are not limited to: Collects and processes blood and body fluid specimens, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patient and the quality of the specimen with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising or required re sticks. Performs and exhibits knowledge and skills specific to the young adult, adult, and geriatric populations; provides care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria appropriate to the age of the patients served. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous test results; makes sounds decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while collecting samples. Familiar with tests performed throughout the laboratory (i.e., chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, microbiology, and cytology); must be familiar with laboratory send-out tests, respective requirements, and requirements noted by the laboratories where they are performed. Processes all specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Determines correct patient identification (i.e., patient's name, full social security number); verifies proper tubes are used and the correct amount of blood is drawn; labels all tubes with the patient's name, full social security number, date, time and phlebotomist's initials and re-identifies patient using full name and full social security number). Maintains a clean workspace and continuously monitors the area for contamination; follows procedures for properly decontaminating spills and the safe disposal of all contaminated materials. Receives and stores laboratory supplies to include documenting the receipt date on each item, verifying the storage requirement of each item by temperature requirement, and rotating stock to ensure the newest supply is in the back; check expiration date of all reagents and supplies. Serves as a resource person person and/or troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing VistA order entry and results options. Prepares lab appointment lists for Veterans at least one week ahead of schedule to ensure prompt attention to the patient when they present for specimen collection. Investigates missing or incomplete patient laboratory orders; contacts the nurse or provider involved to ensure missing or incomplete orders are placed or corrected prior to the patient presenting for sample collection. Performs blood collection duties in a courteous manner; makes the patient feel as comfortable as possible; explains what is about to happen and any necessary processes required of the patient for specimen collection. Assists in teaching laboratory and clinic personnel theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy, specimen collection, and specimen requirements. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action; establishes priorities for emergency orders; notifies technologists of impending work. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD10174A Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching; requires manual dexterity and a large degree of concentration.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Per 5 CFR 330.502, general restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies.
• 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): The Health Aid and Technician Series 0640 has a minimum qualification entry requirement: Specialized Experience: 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. 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 directly related to the position. AND, GS-5 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 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 includes: Skill in both oral/written communication to work effectively and diplomatically with clinic employees, patients and families; knowledge of various menus, options, procedures and equipment to use VistA and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) computer programs; knowledge of policies and procedures as related to patient care; skill sufficient to recognize, report and assist in emergency situations; skill to observe and report physical or mental changes in patients; knowledge of test names that are ordered and their different synonyms; skill in venipuncture and correct preparation of specimens necessary to obtain the required quantities of specimens needed for the variety of laboratory examinations performed; knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medications and effects of illness in order to provide patient care; skill in phlebotomy techniques, procedures and other specimen collection procedures, including the use of Vacutainer collection system, safety needles, syringes and butterfly needles, capillary puncture techniques and use of microtainers; knowledge of infection control, safety, disaster, exposure control, chemical, hand hygiene and infection control plans and universal precaution procedures; knowledge of collection, processing and storage requirements and procedures for laboratory specimens. OR, Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-5 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a bachelor's degree or four (4) years of education above the high school level with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-5 level. You must have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) to meet total experience requirements. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-5. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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

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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

Contacts

• Address Montana VA Health Care System 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]