You will serve as a Health Technician (Phlebotomist/Processor) with the Anchorage VA Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Qualified applicants will begin to be referred to the hiring manager on Friday, November 1st, 2024. After that applicants will only be referred to the hiring manager upon request from the hiring manager. This position will remain open to the closing date unless the position is filled, in which case the announcement will be closed.

Duties

Perform phlebotomy and laboratory processing work. Draw blood from outpatients for requested laboratory testing. Properly collect, handle, label, accession, process, record, and deliver specimens while adhering to patient identification, safety, infection prevention, control policies, and universal precautions. Assure that the proper tubes are used, and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Perform special drawing techniques when needed. Prepare the collection site and draw blood cultures. Instruct patients in procedures to be followed prior, during, and after tests, preparing schedules for a patient to follow to obtain the correct blood specimens at the required time. Collect chain of custody drug screens. Responsible for receiving and preparing test requests and specimens into the clinical laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the requests. Access all test requests into the facility's computer system. Recognize urgent testing situations and takes necessary action to direct the specimens to the proper location. Able to follow detailed instructions to operate various types of laboratory equipment, such as centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, incubators, thermometers, timers, and eyewash stations. Serve as the reference and processor for complex specialized tests. Maintain a record of all specimens submitted to the reference laboratories by building, reviewing, and printing shipping manifests. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD50400A 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. Work Conditions: 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 fluid resistant lab coats, 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.

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.
• The Selected Applicant must pass an initial pre-employment medical examination.
• The Selected Applicant must be proficient in the English language.
• 5 CFR § 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: 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. You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least 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: receive and prepare laboratory test requests and specimens; enter all test data, requests, and results into a computer system; abide to safety, infection control, and universal precautions; properly process, transport, and store, and biological specimens; analyze biological specimens; prepare site and draw blood cultures; collect, handle, and deliver specimens; collect chain-of-custody drug screen specimens; instruct patient on specimen collection procedures; provide patient care in a laboratory setting; research and clarify test orders and results; maintenance of equipment, instruments, and inventory in a laboratory setting. 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.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Christian Sheehy
• Phone: 253-583-1445
• Email: [email protected]