Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)

Summary Phlebotomists serve as a Medical Technician in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Lexington, KY. Incumbent performs many lab functions which include, but is not limited to the following tasks: accessions specimens into computer system, collects patient specimens (phlebotomy), answers questions relative to patient specimens, and instructs and assists patients, and instructs and assists patients specimen collection. Responsibilities Please read this announcement in its entirety before beginning the application process to ensure you submit all the required documents. See Required Document sections in this announcement before applying. Please read the application questionnaire before applying: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12562497. Federal Resume Tips, Please READ This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill one (1) full-time and permanent GS-0645-5 Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) vacancy with the Pathology and Laboratory Service at the Lexington, KY Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Medical Technologists (Phlebotomists) provide assistance of a technical, specialized, or support nature to health and medical personnel in the diagnosis, or treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions. Medical Technologists (Phlebotomists) interpret requests or instructions for medical or health care personnel. Employee understands ,and carries out -the requests made by the health care professional. Duties include, but not limited to: Interprets requests or instructions for medical or heath care personnel. Employee understands ,and carries out the requests made by the health care professional. Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients and providing personal patient care. Performs a range of diagnostic laboratory support duties such as collection and labeling of specimens for the laboratory. Performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens and collection/acceptance of other body fluids such as urine or sputum. Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples. Centrifuges blood specimens in the Leestown Outpatient Phlebotomy Sections. Ensures and verifies correct labeling and patient identification. Records collection times and intervals as appropriate processes and assures proper storage of specimens. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing tests. Assists in the training of new employees on specimen collection procedures and proper labeling of specimens. Uses hospital computer system to perform routine work such as, reviewing and accepting lab orders, entering test results and gathering information required to complete assigned duties. Performs routine or repetitive work in a laboratory setting. Notifies physician of any problem with orders or specimens. Informs personnel outside the laboratory which includes physicians, nurses, medical students and patients of the appropriate specimen, specimen collection procedure, and requirements for analysis. Performs quality assurance monitoring of specimens sent to the laboratory for analysis. Maintains supplies for the phlebotomy/accessioning area, including frequent checks for outdated/expired supplies. Secures the .confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Performs blood-drawing duties in a courteous, calm manner, so patient is as comfortable as possible. Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care and educating patients on pre-testing and post-testing activities. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Performs administrative tasks including records for specimens obtained, documenting measurements taken to obtain specimens, functions as a resource person for other non-laboratory personnel on specimen collection requirements and patient preparation for any lab request. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of requests, interacts with hospital/clinic personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergent situations and takes necessary action to prioritize emergent orders. Notifies technologists of impending work. Receives samples into the laboratory and processes them for testing, labels and transports specimens to appropriate station for testing. Maintains the blood drawing area. Performs any other duties which are in the best interested of patient care and deemed necessary by the supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 7:00am-3:30pm OR 8:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD600103 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All 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. 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 Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/15/2024. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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: successfully completed of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelors degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree with courses related to the occupation. For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelors degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicants total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicants education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: One year of Phlebotomy experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Problem Solving Safety Engineering 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. Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires average agility and dexterity. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, carts, or machines; with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals. Employees are required to use protective clothing. Work area must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic anatomy sufficient to assure accurate and appropriate phlebotomy procedures including the knowledge required to implement and monitor phlebotomy guidelines and policies. Knowledge of laboratory test requests and medical terminology sufficient to ensure appropriate specimen tube selection and proper blood procurement. Knowledge and skill sufficient to process specimens for routine laboratory test procedures in various sections of the laboratory including Chemistry, Blood Bank/Hematology and Microbiology. Knowledge and skill sufficient tp operate laboratory centrifuges and patients glucose monitors. Knowledge of basic clerical procedures to assist with laboratory record keeping and processing of reports. Knowledge and understanding of regulatory agencies requirements: College of American Pathologists and the Joint Commission. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.