Medical Technician - Phlebotomy
What you'd do
These positions are located with the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS), at the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Alexandria, LA. The position is responsible for the support of P&LMS through a variety of lab functions. Performs a range of laboratory support duties such as collection and labeling of specimens for the laboratory through repetitive procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens and collection/acceptance of other body fluids.
Major 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 may include, but are not limited to the following: Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of specimens, as well as using special drawing techniques as needed, while ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patients and the quality of the specimen. Performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatients, outpatients, and ambulatory inpatients, with a minimal number of failures or required re-sticks. Ensures that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. Assures that proper tubes are used and that the correct amount of blood is drawn by making independent judgement and decision based on the test ordered. Verifies the patient as the individual denoted on the request and labels all tubes with the patient's name and social security number to ensure proper identification. Records test time and intervals as appropriate. Processes and assures proper storage of specimens. Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards and adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times. Makes gross visual observations during specimen collection and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, notifying appropriate emergency personnel as needed. Receives all specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratory for testing. Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment, controls supplies, and maintains and controls laboratory records. Performs other related duties as assigned. 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, rotating holidays, 7:30am-4:00pm and 9:00am-5:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
What you need to qualify
English Language Proficiency Requirement: 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 perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability, or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. ~AND~ The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: "Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients." In addition to the English Language Proficiency and Selective Place Factor, to qualify for this position at the GS-4 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: Experience: You must have at least 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experienced that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. General Experience is: (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience is: (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. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week ~OR~ Education and Training: Successful completion (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of (a) a full-time training course of approximately a year's duration in a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school that included instruction in chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology (including serology) and that, in addition, included supervised laboratory practice incident to the diagnostic process and the treatment of patients; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application). ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and experience, as described above. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application). You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen 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 extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, standing, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching, Light to medium weight items are carried around the work area. May require the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill patients. 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/.
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