The incumbent serves as a Health Technician in the Core Laboratory Section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. The incumbent is responsible for performing multiple duties in the central accessioning and specimen processing area. These complex duties include reference laboratory specimen processing, clerical functions, patient testing, and outpatient Phlebotomy as necessary at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 06/30/2025 GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 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: Specimen receipt and processing; reference care testing duties, patient care testing duties, collecting and processing employee drug screens and sending the sample out, perform routine Phlebotomy procedures, compliance with safety protocols, regulations and guidelines related to performing Phlebotomy procedures; effectively work with people from varying backgrounds. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a laboratory atmosphere and requires regular and physical exertion such as walking, bending, recurrent standing and moderate lifting. The work requires specific physical characteristics and abilities and dexterity needed to perform intricate analytical and technical procedures. Entering patient information, test orders, and data in a computer may result in physical problems form the effects of repetitive motion and eyestrain. The position may also require assisting geriatric and/or disabled patients. 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. 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/.
The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. Major Duties: Specimen Receipt and Processing - Receives and prepares requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Reference Laboratory Specimen Processing - Receives all specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratories for testing. Processes all reference laboratory specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Maintains a record of all specimens submitted to the reference laboratories by printing accessioning forms and shipping manifests. Orders supplies provided by the commercial reference including specimen containers, test requisitions, and computer supplies. Community Based Outpatient Clinics Test Ordering Review - Serves as the primary contact person between Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the CBOC. Reviews the shipping manifests form each CBOC on the next working day to ensure all specimens listed on the shopping manifest are accounted for. Accesses the orders for each patient in VISTA and verifies that the types of test accessioned by the staff the previous day match the test ordered by the CBOC on the shipping manifest. Monitors pending tests until the computer indicates that the tests are completed. Maintains a file of the shipping manifests for each CBOC. Patient Care Testing Duties - Responsible for performing a limited amount of patient testing which includes but is not limited to urine pregnancy testing, and sed rates. Responsible for Microbiology set-ups to include plating and accessing of microbiology samples from the floor and also from the CBOC. Performs established quality control procedures to check the accuracy and validity of the test results. Accurately records and reports the test results in the VISTA computer system. Collecting and Processing employee drug screens - Performs employee drug screen by the DHHS split specimen collection method and will maintain the change of custody for that sample. Phlebotomy Duties - The incumbent draws blood from outpatients for requested laboratory test. Work Schedule: Various day shifts, rotating weekends and holidays per the needs of the service. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD05770A