The Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) strictly performs basic phlebotomy and technical duties for various clinical areas of the medical center in support of the medical and surgical care of patients in diagnostic functions to include blood-drawing procedures, assisting patients and specimen processing. These duties are performed on regular and irregular tours of duties.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: The phlebotomist provides assistance of technical, specialized, support nature to health and medical personnel in the diagnosis or treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions. Receives requests or instructions for venipuncture (blood drawing) and urine collection. Interprets requests or instructions for medical or health care personnel. Secures patients' confidence and cooperation during procedures. Explains procedures (venipuncture), positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate. Varies procedure or position to adjust to patients' medical condition. Utilizes printed and electronic files containing sensitive information and is responsible for protecting that information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instruction regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs. Receives labels and transmits specimens, test results and other records. Verifies two identifiers at all times such as patient name, social security numbers, address, date of birth, time of sample, type of test requested. Assists medical staff with or performs diagnostic procedures used to diagnose medical conditions. During procedures, recognizes abnormalities and informs professional staff of unusual readings or conditions. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary actions. Establishes priorities for emergency orders. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking specimens and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Adheres to safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood, collecting/transporting anybody fluid or patient contact. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition. Performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimen, bleeding time and timed collections according to written protocol or as directed by the physician or other professional staff. Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Instructs patients in the proper midstream urine collection, 24-hour urine collection, and collections of specimens for culture and sensitivity. Performs simple procedures such as collection of blood samples or other fluid samples from inpatient and ambulatory patients. Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples. Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities to complete lab test collection in a timely manner. Communicates in a tactful and courteous manner with a wide variety of individuals with varying levels of understanding. Work Schedule: Tour To Be Determined; Mornings/Evenings/Nights, Weekends/Holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD60561A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/21/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants 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. Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest nontemporary competitive appointment. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An 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, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 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 l year of specialized experience. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application). PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience drawing blood on people. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen Collection 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of light items. Should be allowed to change positions from sit, stand, walk every 30 minutes. The work may require some lifting. Lifting of 11-20 lbs. occasionally (not to exceed 1/3rd of workday), 1-10lbs. frequently (not to exceed 2/3rd of workday) and pushing and pulling not to exceed 60lbs. The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to blood borne pathogens that require special safety precautions. Adheres to safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood, collecting/transporting anybody fluid or patient contact. This includes such things as site preparation, removing tourniquets, wearing gloves, goggles, or protective gowns/equipment and adhering to special isolation precautions hospital wide. This includes universal precautions for all patient care activities. 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

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: David Wiseman
• Phone: (614) 935-3242
• Email: [email protected]