The position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Mann­Grandstaff VAMC Spokane. The multi-skilled Medical Technician performs a wide range of functions which includes compliance to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CUA) and accreditation with several other regulating institutions to include AABB, College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, Food and Drug administration(FDA) for laboratory testing, clerical and health tech functions.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 07/01/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirement: An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met to qualify for the 0645 occupational series. Education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. To qualify for this occupational series, applicants MUST have one of the following listed below: Education: 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. (Transcript Required). OR, Specialized Experience: Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or 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: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. (Transcript Required). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection 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. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, standing, lifting, walking, stooping, repetitive motions, 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, and patients in isolation rooms due to communicable disease. 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/.
Duties include but are not limited to: Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer systems, syringe, and butterfly apparatus Labels tubes accurately and completely with all necessary information. Collects and processes samples in a manner that preserves the integrity of the specimens. Identifies inpatients and outpatients using proper forms of identification, verbally and electronically. Processes STAT and routine samples in a timely manner according to protocol. Monitors the patient condition before, during and after the blood collection. Reports changes in physical or mental status. Administers initial intervention in the event of an emergency. Demonstrates knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices of phlebotomy, hemostasis, and requirement of blood collection for the various tests performed in the laboratory Troubleshoot problems with incorrect identifications, missing samples and missing orders. Collects blood specimens using the correct container and order of draw. Prepares samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, aliquots, and paperwork. Monitors the overall workflow of the blood drawing and specimen processing. Operates and maintains equipment. Records and maintains checklists, maintenance, and temperature logs. Maintain adequate stock level of phlebotomy supplies in the blood collection area. Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control and safety regulations associated with collection and processing of blood and body fluids. Performs computerized order retrieval of test orders and accessions patient samples. Review all paperwork, orders, and therapeutic collections for completeness and accuracy. Able to navigate different applications in the Medical Health Electronic System to include but not limited to with looking up the correct collection container and how to process samples. Interacts with patients, visitors, staff, students and volunteers in a courteous and professional manner. Responds positively in a timely manner to customer requests for service or information. Provides education to patients for the proper collection techniques of urine, stool or other fluid collections Work Schedule: Multiple Tours, Monday - Friday 5:00am to 1:30pm, Monday - Friday 12:00pm to 8:30pm, Sunday-Wednesday 1:00pm-11:00pm Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD70560A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): No Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized