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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. Medical Technicians (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 Technicians (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 through Friday; 7:00am- 3:30pm or 8:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician- Phlebotomist/PD600103 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/trial period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/22/2025. Permanent Employee Status: If you are unsure if you have permanent employee status to be considered for this position, you can verify your status by referring to Box 24 on your most recent SF-50. The box must have a 1 or 2 in order to be considered for this position. 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. 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 bachelor's 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 bachelor's 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 bachelor's 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 applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's 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. Specialized Experience (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. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: One year of Phlebotomy experience. Basis for Selection: Selections for positions will be based on the objective evaluation of the candidates' total qualifications for the position. "Qualifications" means the combination of experience, training, education, skills, knowledges, abilities, personal characteristics, and merit factors deemed to be pertinent to successful performance. Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions 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. 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 Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education 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 to operate laboratory centrifuges. 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 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. 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. 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.