Health Technician (OA)
What you'd do
The Health Technician performs phlebotomy and specimen processing for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. Serves the VA Sierra Pacific Network, offering a full range of comprehensive health care services including Dentistry, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Imaging, Medicine Services, Mental Health Services, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Primary Care, Radiation Oncology, Rehabilitation Services, Specialty Services, and Surgery.
Major duties
Primary Purpose: The primary purpose of the position is to be responsible for providing phlebotomy, specimen processing and testing functions, clinical patient support as well as for providing general clerical and administrative support for all patient activities. The incumbent accepts and supports the guiding principles of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) and will performs his or her duties in a manner that promotes patient safety, quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran. Furthermore, the incumbent actively supports the team concept and continually functions as a team player. Duties may include but are not limited to: Explain work requirements and procedures, giving special instructions with regard to specimen collection, specimen preparation, special specimen handling and test analysis. Perform and provide a wide variety of supportive skills in specimen collection, specimen receiving from hospital and outpatient PCC, specimen verification, and specimen handling, sorting, separation, sets up and ready to load specimen for testing. The work consists of related steps, processes associated with the accessioning, processing, and phlebotomy duties. Conducts on the job training of employees who need skill development or enhancement. Perform a wide variety of blood collection of a responsible nature requiring a representative knowledge of clinical science to understand the multiplicity of tests and specimen requirements, the mechanics of venipuncture and patient preparation. Demonstrate versatility of skill in rapidly proceeding from one patient to another to perform multiple and simultaneous collection using accurate patient and specimen identification procedures. Perform all clerical duties required of the position, including work lists, logs, etc. Provides orientation/training in performance of phlebotomy and test procedures with the information and experience required to understand underlying disease processes and inform the healthcare provider if unable to obtain. Sets up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures, making sure that all phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standard. Orders and maintains specialized supplies pertaining to ancillary instruments used in the drawing areas. Makes determinations where instructions or guidelines are only general in nature and do not contain specific details. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the appropriate Medical/Health Care Provider. Uses initiative in direction the activities of the phlebotomy area and works independently without specific instruction. Obtains assistance from the Supervisory Medical Technologist for unusual patient issues and/or unfamiliar situations. Monitors environment to ensure patient safety during phlebotomy procedures. Exercises a high degree of flexibility and ability to function in emergent patient care situations. Transports specimens to the laboratory including those requiring special handling. Cleans disinfects, and sterilizes equipment and ancillary equipment according to Medical Center Policies and Procedures. Adheres to the Infection Control Guidelines for the Medical Center Maintains record of procedures performed in the Drawing Areas. Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities. Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal skills with patients, families, and all Medical Center employees. Timeliness, accuracy, service customer satisfaction and comfort to the patient are the key processes. Work Schedule: Various Shifts, Rotating, Evenings, Days, Weekend Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (OA)/PD01582A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for extended periods of time, bending standing, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching. The work requires duty on weekends, holidays, and nights when so assigned. This position is also considered high-risk because of the constant exposure to blood and fluid products, sharps, and chemicals.
What you need to qualify
Requirements continued As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period , your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: assessing patient condition before, during, and after the procedure; receiving requests for testing and verifying for completeness and accuracy; receiving specimens in the laboratory and separating and routing them to the proper section for testing; and performing add-on functions for the clinical sections of the laboratory by identifying viable samples and determining their suitability for the required testing. OR, Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. You must have full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position. 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. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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.
Before you apply
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