Truman VA Medical Center is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

Duties

Duties are but not limited to: Performance of Autopsies (25%) Assists and trains new pathologists, pathology residents and autopsy assistants (under supervision of the attending pathologist) in the safe techniques used to perform the gross autopsy, which is removing the brain and all of the internal organs. The incumbent carries out highly specialized technical procedures that require exact skills to prevent disfigurement of the facial and neck features of the deceased remains and to prevent damage to specimens that will be dissected. Opens the skull and removes the brain independently. Places the brain in formaldehyde and labels all autopsy body part containers with the pathologist's name and the autopsy number. Specimens for submission to the lab are labeled with the patient name, identification number, date and time (if applicable). Incumbent Independently removes the spinal cord, when requested. Opens or runs the Intestines and bowel and notifies the pathologist of any suspicious contents or abnormalities in the tissue. Operates equipment used in the performance of autopsies. Observes all safety rules and reports any safety violations observed by others working in the morgue. Management of Morgue, Frozen Section and Glassware (20%) Responsible for the overall operation of the morgue and frozen section rooms. Requests all supplies required to run the morgue and frozen section rooms. Prepares reagents used in morgue and frozen section rooms, Notifies resident when there is an autopsy to be performed. For each autopsy, incumbent ensures there is a satisfactory permit to do the autopsy, obtains the patient chart, and correctly logs the body in the morgue entry log and autopsy log. Attempts to contacts physicians or appropriate staff for any issues with autopsy consent and accompanying paperwork. Works with pathology resident to resolve all consent issues prior to the autopsy. Incumbent is responsible to keep all instruments sharp and in good repair and ensure all equipment is operational. Requests work orders for repair of any instrument or utility failure. Bags and identifies all tissues saved from autopsies and sends to storage. Cleans and stocks the frozen section room in surgical area, changes or filters the stains when a frozen section has been done. Operates the lab dishwasher to clean all glassware used in the clinical laboratory. Operates the autoclave to sterilize all the laboratory biological waste and tubes, vials, and instruments used in Virology and Microbiology. Tests washed glassware to ensure all soap residue is properly rinsed. Analyzes problems with glassware and takes appropriate action to resolve the problem. Checks resistivity meter and warning lights to ensure quality of water produced for use in the lab and used in the rinsing of glassware is adequate Checks refrigerators, cryostats, and all instruments to ensure proper function and temperatures. Phlebotomy and Specimen processing (55%) Performs phlebotomy procedures on both inpatients and outpatients for clinical laboratory testing. Uses computer to query patient demographics, laboratory test requests, test order status and test descriptions. Uses computer to order, delete or amend laboratory tests, build collection lists, print collection lists and labels, and log in collection of specimens. When performing phlebotomy duties, incumbent could spend up to eight hours a day intermittently using the computer which could amount to over 35% of the time actually on the computer and the rest performing phlebotomy. Uses centrifuges and other laboratory equipment and supplies to process specimens after collection. Sorts, aliquots and distributes specimens throughout the laboratory and to other hospital and referral labs. Picks up, preserves, measures, aliquots, and prepares for shipment all 24 hour urine collections. Stocks blood drawing and processing supplies in the receiving area and blood drawing room. Insures printers in receiving room and blood drawing room are functioning properly and replaces paper, labels and ribbons Instructs patients on proper collection of specimens for timed and random testing. Answers queries from physicians, nurses and other hospital staff regarding test requirements, processing instructions, test order status. Routes calls to the proper section of the lab Adheres to the hospital policy on confidentiality of patient information and laboratory policy on releasing patient results to the VA physician, nurse, or other authorized hospital staff appropriate to receive the information. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Autopsy Assistant)/PD08859A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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, 12/17/2024. 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. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. 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-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: blood drawing, specimen labeling, knowledge of human anatomy, skill in identifying or using surgical instruments, surgical assistance, operates equipment used in the performance of autopsies, observes all safety rules and reports any safety violations observed by others working in the morgue, administrative duties, analyzes problems with glassware and takes appropriate action to resolve the problem and performs phlebotomy procedures on both inpatients and outpatients for clinical laboratory testing. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). 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 a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Organizational StewardshipQuality AssuranceSpecimen CollectionTeaches OthersTechnical Competence 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: This position requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and long periods of bending while performing autopsies or drawing blood. 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 Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital 800 Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65201 US
• Name: Takhia Crawford
• Phone: 909-372-5409
• Email: [email protected]