The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. The incumbent serves as a Student Trainee in the Send­ Outs/Processing department in the clinical laboratory of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/20/2025. Internship Program: To be eligible applicants must: Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position. Be able to work at least 4 hours per week. Meet the grade qualifications must be met prior to start date. To qualify for the GS 4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours). Transcripts are required. Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement, Maintain status as a current student, Maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale, Adhere to an established work schedule approved by the supervisor, Provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and academic transcripts at the end of each academic period and upon request, Perform, successfully, the duties and responsibilities in the assigned position description, Observe all workplace rules, such as dress code, office conduct and behavior, Participate in all VA mandatory training programs (either on-line or in the classroom), Notify the supervisor of any changes in the completion of the educational program, such as graduation date, changes in the major degree requirements, or changes in the educational institution's accreditation. Upon completion on the program Interns may be non-competitively converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all of their educational and work experience requirements. A list of the occupations series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. 0640 Health Technician, 0645 Medical Laboratory Technician and a 0644 Clinical Laboratory Scientist 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/. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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/. Physical Requirements: The work environment in the laboratory involves the use of chemicals, some of which may be toxic if mishandled. Clinical specimens are a biologic hazard due to the possibility of transmission of infectious disease, and are handled continuously by the Medical Technician GS-4, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (I 13), Clinical Chemistry/Blood Bank Hematology technician. The medical technician is required lo use personal protective equipment such as laboratory coats and gloves in the performance of routine and special tasks within the laboratory.
This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Receives specimens into the laboratory area following all applicable policies and procedures. - Verifies patient identification and specimen labeling prior to acceptance into the laboratory. - Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Follows established protocol for handling of mislabeled/unlabeled specimens. - Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by provider and accurately accessions specimens and maintains correct identification by name and/or accession number through each phase of processing/testing. - Accessions tests into the laboratory computer system and ensures all applicable orders are utilized. - Recognizes emergency testing situations and takes necessary action to direct the sample to the proper location. He/she notifies the laboratory staff of the need for emergent testing. - Demonstrated ability to cope with stressful situations and troubleshooting to deal with problem samples. - Processes samples as required following all applicable policies and procedures. Labels, relabels, and/or aliquots specimens when necessary. - May be responsible for microbiology set-ups to include plating and accessioning of microbiology samples following all established protocols. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Negotiable, minimum 4 hours per week Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92683-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized