Duties

Summary

The Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC) needs a Medical Technician (Evening Shift Phlebotomist) who independently performs routine and specialized venipuncture of in-patients and out-patients (on the hospital wards, Emergency Department and in the laboratory phlebotomy area) to obtain blood specimens for clinical laboratory testing. Prioritizes test requests: STATS, & Life Threatening Emergencies; timed tests or routine collections. Performs a variety of tests which are difficult and complex.

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Responsibilities

Major duties include, but not limited to, the following:

• Independently performs routine and specialized venipuncture of in-patients and o out-patients at the VAMC (on the hospital wards, Emergency Department and in the laboratory phlebotomy area) in order to obtain blood specimens for clinical laboratory testing. Assigns priority to test requests such as STATS, L TEs (life threatening emergencies), timed tests or routine collections. Performs a variety
  of tests which are difficult and complex. The incumbent analyzes and problem solves erroneous lab results and makes appropriate clinical decisions based on these results (e.g. contacts provider, recollection of specimen), performs routine maintenance on the analyzer, and monitors the quality control as required by CAP and other accrediting bodies.
• Ensures accurate patient and specimen identifiers such as patient name, patient armband, SSN, DOB, computer request slip, and address. The technician uses required verifiers for identification and properly labels all blood samples according to laboratory guidelines.
• Ensures accurate patient and specimen identifiers such as patient name, patient armband, SSN, DOB, computer request slip, and address. The technician uses required verifiers for identification and properly labels all blood samples according to laboratory guidelines.
• Provides training and guidance in phlebotomy techniques to externs, students, nursing staff, medical technologists and/or new phlebotomy employees rotating through the blood collection area. This training may include direct observation of
  phlebotomy techniques, verbal instruction and competency assessment while collecting blood samples with various types of venipuncture equipment.
• Receives specimens delivered to the laboratory for analysis in a centralized processing location. Evaluates each specimen and laboratory order for adherence to the section guidelines and policies to ensure that specimens are properly obtained, appropriate for the testis ordered, and that identification and information are accurate. Ensures use of proper collection containers and notes timeliness of delivery. Accepts samples with a time stamp for time received. Rejects unacceptable specimens following the guidelines established for each type of specimen.
• Performs specimen processing functions, inclusive of, but not limited to, accepting orders for laboratory specimens, labeling samples with laboratory generated labels, centrifugation, aliquoting samples and distribution to the correct areas of the laboratory in a timely manner. Recognizes testing priorities and notifies technical staff of STAT and L TE requests.
• Prepares samples for referral laboratory testing inclusive of, but not limited to, processing sample to a steady state, selection of appropriate transport device/container, selection of appropriate testing facility, and completing associated request forms. Adheres to and follows specific established guidelines for packaging and shipping of laboratory specimens to reference labs or other facilities. Prepares shipping manifests and labels. Maintains appropriate certification for packaging and shipping of hazardous/biological specimens.
• Conducts the following approved waived to moderate complexity testing with the same level of skill and independence as that applied to other tests: B-hcg pregnancy tests, point-of-care/ancillary testing (e.g. glucose by hand-held devices). Testing may include glucose tolerance tests, operation of glucose meter, fecal occult blood tests, quantitative urinalysis testing using automated instruments, confirmatory UA tests, loading chemistry samples on the automation line, setting up urine cultures, and loading blood culture bottles into the automated blood culture instrument. Performs and documents related quality control and instrument maintenance against laboratory standards. Recognizes and reports quality control outliers and instrument malfunction. Conducts and documents periodic light maintenance and quality control of laboratory equipment, including cleaning, restocking, checking controls, and verifying that
  automated maintenance procedures have functioned appropriately. When maintenance and quality controls do not perform as expected, consults manufacturer's instruction, supervisor, fellow employees and/or a pathologist for troubleshooting process.
• Serves as collection site personnel for patient urine drug testing. Adheres to the protocol for specimen collection with correct documentation.
• Maintains storage and inventory of phlebotomy and other lab supplies in the laboratory storeroom. Rotates stock and restocks supplies when needed. Recognizes and reports inadequate level of stock.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:30pm - Midnight (Rotating weekends & holidays).
Preferred Experience: Current Phlebotomy Experience Preferred.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician - Evening Shift Phlebotomist/PD1935
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/21/2019.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study of at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled.

Grade Determinations: GS-05

• Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by as astrick (*):

Specialized Experience

For positions at GS-4 and above: (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-3: 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 (b) 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or biological science.

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.

For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 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 to be filled.

The work requires: regular and recurring physical exertion; standing for prolonged periods of time; bending and lifting moderate to heavy supplies (15-25 pounds); rapid walking (occasionally long distances) to meet STAT and lifethreatening
demands of critical patients; good manual dexterity and coordination for specimen collection and processing; high anxiety (stress) level tolerance to meet the life-threatening situations of critical care demands.

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: 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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/ .

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following for each job listed:
1) Job title and grade level/salary. In order to show that you meet time-in-grade, you must document grades you have held and how long you have held them;
2) Duties (you must include enough detailed information to support your specialized experience);
3) Month and year start/end dates (e.g. 04/2007 to 04/2008);
4) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
5) Supervisor's contact information and whether or not the supervisor can be contacted.
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Other (3)
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.