Employee will be assigned to the Specimen Processing Section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Murfreesboro, TN, performing varied responsibilities in specimen processing/reference testing section but may also involve similar duties in other sections such as urinalysis, microbiology, and chemistry as needed or directed.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling. Performs venipuncture for the collection of whole blood from potential donors. Follows laboratory procedures for collecting specimens in the appropriate container. Assesses specimen integrity for correct tube type, adequate volume, correct storage and shipping environment, etc. Controls the physical condition of samples and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained. Enters laboratory orders in the laboratory software systems. Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques. Maintains adequate supplies for all phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures. Handles donor samples and prepares samples for shipping. Accessions, labels, and packages specimens. Identifies and appropriately responds to adverse reactions such as fainting, nausea, anxiety, etc. Performs or ensures quality control has been performed and equipment is acceptable for use. Adheres to infection control measures and universal precautions. Receives telephone inquiries and communicates results to appropriate personnel. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm with occasional Saturdays. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the above, applicants must also possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes: experience that may have been gained in (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 being filled. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and require following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) Successful completion of a 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 being filled. 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. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the GS-5. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen Collection IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires manual dexterity and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, reaching for supplies, and lifting (up to 15 pounds). 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

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]