In this positions you will serve as Medical Technician - Phlebotomist in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&MLS) at VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE.
THERE IS AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT 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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. The English Language proficiency statement appears as a Selective Placement Factor on the Assessment Questionnaire. PLUS SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristics are basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placements Factors are a prerequisite to appointments and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet the Selective Placement Factor are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: "Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients." PLUS EXPERIENCE: For this Medical Technician, GS-4 position, Possess at least six (6) months of general experience, and six (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. General Experience is: (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience is: (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. 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. OR EDUCATION: For this Medical Technician, GS-4 position, Possess successfully completed (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 (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 (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. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand/eye coordination, some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, reaching, bending, and to stand for several consecutive hours during the collection and of specimens. Work is performed at a fast pace. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. The position requires occasional lifting of reagent/supply containers weighing up to 20 pounds. 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/.
***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Specimen Collection 50% Perform blood collection using venipunctures, arterial punctures and capillary finger sticks. Specimen collection is performed in the emergency room, hospital rooms, extended care rooms and out-patient specimen collection area. Must know CPR and maintain current on BLS, and first aid procedures Follow standard operating procedures for guidance in specimen collection. Identify tests that require special handling conditions and appropriately performs proper specimen collection. Initiate emergency care procedures in the event a patient has a reaction to blood collection procedures. Maintain an adequate supply of phlebotomy supplies, and reports shortages to logistics staff or the supervisor for resolution. Adhere to laboratory safety policies and regulatory requirements including infection control policies such as hand hygiene, specimen transport, and patient isolation. Specimen Handling & Computer Duties 25% Operate the pneumatic tube system to transport specimens to the main laboratory. Ensure that specimens are maintained at the proper temperature and conditions. Must properly prioritize STAT, ASAP, and routine specimen collection. Perform CLIA waived testing on patients, and the required quality control testing associated with this assay. Complete all required training, proficiency testing and competency assessment associated with authorized CLIA waived testing. Communication, Clerical, and Administrative Support 25% Provide education to patients regarding the collection of blood samples and potential complications. Assist patients with laboratory check-in. Communicate any missing, erroneous, or duplicate orders to the appropriate health care staff for follow-up action. Answer clinic laboratory phone, addresses inquiries, and forwards call to main lab when appropriate. Train and evaluate competency of new employees and students in specimen collection techniques, computer duties, and management of laboratory orders. Participate in continuing educational activities and VA training opportunities. Other Duties: Customer Service: The incumbent meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. HIPAA/Security: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VHA policy. Population Specific: The age of the patients served ranges from 18 to 100 years. Considers age of the patient in performing collection as it relates to functional capacity/limitations DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITON: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test results are received. Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday - 8-hour shifts - Between 5:00AM - 9:00PM - With Rotating Weekends and Holidays Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized