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Summary The incumbent serves as a Health Technician - Phlebotomy in the Roseburg VA Healthcare System Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services. 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. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to; Specimen Receipt and Processing - Receiving and preparing requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies, which may cause erroneous test results. Accessions all requests into the hospital computer system. Uses order entry by multipurpose ordering option and other laboratory computer options such as accessioning by ward order entry. Follows procedures for processing biological specimens, understands sample requirements for tests and clearly communicates those requirements. S/he separates and routes the specimens to the specific laboratory section that performs the testing. S/he assists healthcare personnel (MT/MLS/CLS) who deliver specimens by directing them to place the specimens in the proper location based on the type of testing and the laboratory section. Recognizes emergency testing situations and takes necessary action to direct the specimens to the proper location. S/he notifies the laboratory staff of the need for emergency testing. Demonstrated ability to cope with stressful situations and troubleshooting to deal with problem samples. Must have the ability to follow detailed instructions to operate various types of laboratory equipment, such as centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, and eyewash stations. Performs preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment used. Reference Laboratory Specimen Processing - Receives specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratories for testing. The individual must be knowledgeable about the specimen requirement for each reference laboratory test and the test ordering procedures for each of the reference laboratories. Verifies proper patient preparation, specimen collection, and specimen transport requirements for all reference laboratory tests. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous test results. S/he makes sound decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems pertaining to reference laboratory tests. Community Based Outpatient Clinics Test Ordering Review - Collect specimens for laboratory testing and transport them to the laboratory for testing. Patient Care Testing Duties - Performs a limited amount of patient testing. Prepare the specimen or patient for testing, prepare reagents (if necessary), and add to the appropriate instrumentation. Exposure to chemicals exists, so safety protocols must be followed. Clerical Duties - Answers incoming calls to relay accurate information, perform disposition of add-on orders, function as a resource person and troubleshooter, assists clinical personnel in executing laboratory information system order entry and results options, prepares referral specimens for shipment, contacts physicians for clarification of request and justification of need for send-out testing, packages and ships containers following regulatory guidelines, maintains shipping certification, assists the laboratory in functions such as checking temperatures and other duties as needed. Phlebotomy Duties - Draws blood from outpatients for requested laboratory testing. This includes using special drawing techniques, assuring that proper tubes are used, and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Verifies the patient as the individual denotes on the request and labels all tubes with two unique identifiers including patient name, social security number, DOD ID number, date, and time to insure proper identification. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, off on Thursday's; 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Phlebotomy/Processing/PD30652-A 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. Laboratory instrumentation makes constant noises which could lead to hearing loss over long periods of exposure. The position may also require assisting geriatric and/or disabled patients. The incumbent must have normal color vision. Work Environment: The work involves moderate risks or discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurring exposure to hazards such as infectious materials, chemicals, electrical appliances, and loud noises. The incumbent takes special safety precautions and must use protective clothing and devises such as gloves, face shields, eye protector, and safety shields in accordance with OSHA guidelines. The incumbent's dress and personal appearance should reflect the professional image of a healthcare worker. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. Basic Requirement: All applicants must meet the following requirement; Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. In addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency and Basic Requirement, applicants must also meet the grade specific requirements listed below: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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 would typically include, but are not limited to: Reviews shipping manifests to determine specimen integrity; practices phlebotomy drawing and other specimen collection techniques; identify, document, and report physical or mental changes in a patient; process anatomic pathology samples; reconcile and maintain specimen records; stocks and rotates lab supplies, checks temperatures, and performs disposition of add-on orders. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. 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. Education 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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.