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The position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for outpatients at the Amarillo VA HCS. The incumbent will perform a variety of specimen collection, processing, and testing related functions. This position is located in Lubbock, Texas.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy announcement is open to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, CTAP eligibles, Federal agency employees, Veterans and status candidates.
Videos
Duties
Performs routine venipuncture specimen collections from outpatients and as needed in the following locations: Community Living Center patients & Community Based Outpatient Centers. Proficiently collects this blood samples with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required resticks and ensures that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay.
Receives all requests for testing into the laboratory computer package. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Interacts with hospital personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action.
Receive and sorts specimens, check request slips or shipping documents for proper information, log in specimen, and deliver specimens to various laboratory sections. Verifies sample transport requirements for a variety of laboratory tests, including cultures, biopsies, etc.
May also be assigned to technical support tasks that include:- Preparation of samples for testing in the various clinical laboratory sections, such as labeling, centrifugation, decanting, allocating, etc.- Distribution, storage and delivery of supplies and other materials used for the purpose of phlebotomy services.- Cleaning and restocking the blood collection room and areas where collection trays and equipment is stored.- Receiving phlebotomy requests utilizing both manual and computerized logging methods.- Recollection of patient specimens when determined by the medical technologists to be inadequate or insufficient to meet the test requirements.- Collection of additional samples as required for the purpose of performing additional requested testing.- Collection of timed specimens such as growth hormone, peak and trough drug levels and special collection techniques such as blood cultures and transfusion patient specimens.
Phlebotomy Duties:
Instructs patients in proper sterile and non-sterile urine collections, 24-hour urine collection, collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, ova and parasite, occult blood and special specimen collections for flu, DNA testing, environmental surveillance, urine drug screens, etc. Upon completion of collection measures and records urine volume and properly stores the sample for analysis. Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards.
Blood sample collection must be performed in the manner described by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) as well as the written guidelines of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services.
Assists in writing and revising standard operating procedures relative to job performance. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with agency requirements. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems.
Clerical Duties: Answers incoming calls for Laboratory Services. Quickly finds and relays accurate information or refers the caller to technical personnel. Provides information to patients on the date/time of appointments and clinic locations. Informs patient on venipuncture procedure, securing the confidence and the cooperation of the patient during the procedure.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am -4:30pm
Telework: . Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD02036A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Note: This is a Bargaining Unit Position
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2023.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-4 Experience: You must have at least 6 months of general experience, and 6 months of specialized experience 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. 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. Specialized experience includes knowledge of approved venipuncture specimen collection technique and laboratory test requirements; knowledge of processing and storage requirements; knowledge of testing procedures for laboratory specimens; knowledge of hazards associated with blood sample collection procedures; knowledge patient identification methods; specimen handling and collection; file and retrieve laboratory test information; knowledge and technical skill to perform patient testing and quality control procedures, and knowledge of laboratory testing necessary to communicate unusual and complex aspects and/or information requests by medical center staff. OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have 2 years above high school, with coursed related to the occupation. (TRANSCRIPTS 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 high school diploma.
Individual Occupational Requirement: In addition to the specialized experience above, individuals must also meet the occupational requirements for the Medical Technician position. Candidate must possess:
Specialized Experience: (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 and Training: For GS-4: Successful completion of (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 the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; 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.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
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 extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, walking, stooping, sitting, and stretching. The incumbent must have the digital dexterity and adequate vision to perform safe venipuncture procedures. Lifting will not exceed a weight of 10 pounds. The incumbent must fully utilize all safety practice and equipment provided by the medical center, and in compliance with local and accrediting agency requirements.
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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents...
The position is that of a Medical Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for outpatients at the Amarillo VA HCS. The incumbent will perform a variety of specimen collection, processing, and testing related functions. This position is located in Lubbock, Texas.
This job is open to
- Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee. - Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees. - Federal employees - Excepted service
Current excepted service federal employees. - Individuals with disabilities
- Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency. - Military spouses
- Veterans
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy announcement is open to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, CTAP eligibles, Federal agency employees, Veterans and status candidates.
Videos
Duties
Performs routine venipuncture specimen collections from outpatients and as needed in the following locations: Community Living Center patients & Community Based Outpatient Centers. Proficiently collects this blood samples with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required resticks and ensures that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay.
Receives all requests for testing into the laboratory computer package. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Interacts with hospital personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergency situations and takes necessary action.
Receive and sorts specimens, check request slips or shipping documents for proper information, log in specimen, and deliver specimens to various laboratory sections. Verifies sample transport requirements for a variety of laboratory tests, including cultures, biopsies, etc.
May also be assigned to technical support tasks that include:- Preparation of samples for testing in the various clinical laboratory sections, such as labeling, centrifugation, decanting, allocating, etc.- Distribution, storage and delivery of supplies and other materials used for the purpose of phlebotomy services.- Cleaning and restocking the blood collection room and areas where collection trays and equipment is stored.- Receiving phlebotomy requests utilizing both manual and computerized logging methods.- Recollection of patient specimens when determined by the medical technologists to be inadequate or insufficient to meet the test requirements.- Collection of additional samples as required for the purpose of performing additional requested testing.- Collection of timed specimens such as growth hormone, peak and trough drug levels and special collection techniques such as blood cultures and transfusion patient specimens.
Phlebotomy Duties:
Instructs patients in proper sterile and non-sterile urine collections, 24-hour urine collection, collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, ova and parasite, occult blood and special specimen collections for flu, DNA testing, environmental surveillance, urine drug screens, etc. Upon completion of collection measures and records urine volume and properly stores the sample for analysis. Uses standard aseptic procedures and safeguards.
Blood sample collection must be performed in the manner described by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) as well as the written guidelines of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services.
Assists in writing and revising standard operating procedures relative to job performance. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with agency requirements. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems.
Clerical Duties: Answers incoming calls for Laboratory Services. Quickly finds and relays accurate information or refers the caller to technical personnel. Provides information to patients on the date/time of appointments and clinic locations. Informs patient on venipuncture procedure, securing the confidence and the cooperation of the patient during the procedure.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am -4:30pm
Telework: . Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD02036A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Note: This is a Bargaining Unit Position
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- All 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.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2023.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-4 Experience: You must have at least 6 months of general experience, and 6 months of specialized experience 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. 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. Specialized experience includes knowledge of approved venipuncture specimen collection technique and laboratory test requirements; knowledge of processing and storage requirements; knowledge of testing procedures for laboratory specimens; knowledge of hazards associated with blood sample collection procedures; knowledge patient identification methods; specimen handling and collection; file and retrieve laboratory test information; knowledge and technical skill to perform patient testing and quality control procedures, and knowledge of laboratory testing necessary to communicate unusual and complex aspects and/or information requests by medical center staff. OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have 2 years above high school, with coursed related to the occupation. (TRANSCRIPTS 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 high school diploma.
Individual Occupational Requirement: In addition to the specialized experience above, individuals must also meet the occupational requirements for the Medical Technician position. Candidate must possess:
Specialized Experience: (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 and Training: For GS-4: Successful completion of (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 the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; 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.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Specimen Collection
- Infection Control
- Customer Service
- Technical Competence
- Compliance
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 extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, walking, stooping, sitting, and stretching. The incumbent must have the digital dexterity and adequate vision to perform safe venipuncture procedures. Lifting will not exceed a weight of 10 pounds. The incumbent must fully utilize all safety practice and equipment provided by the medical center, and in compliance with local and accrediting agency requirements.
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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents...
