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Summary The incumbent is assigned to the Vascular Access Section of Nursing Service/Ambulatory Care Service with VA Augusta Health Care System. Incumbent plays a vital role in patient care by collecting and processing blood specimens for laboratory analysis. You will work under the supervision of laboratory professionals and contribute directly to diagnostic and treatment decisions that impact Veterans' health outcomes. Responsibilities Major duties include but not limited to: Perform venipuncture and capillary blood collection using appropriate techniques and equipment. Verify patient identity and ensure accurate labeling of specimens. Prepare specimens for transport and processing in accordance with laboratory protocols. Maintain phlebotomy supplies and ensure cleanliness and infection control in the work area. Provide clear instructions to patients regarding specimen collection procedures. Enter patient and specimen data into laboratory information systems. Respond to inquiries from patients and clinical staff in a professional and courteous manner. Follow all safety, privacy, and infection control policies and procedures. Assist with training new staff or students in phlebotomy procedures as needed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; occasional Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. as scheduled. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD06482A and PD09925A Physical Requirements: This position entails a fast pace of mental activity, high degree of manual dexterity, some standing, and some sitting and bending to perform venipuncture. A certain amount of walking is required procurement and delivery of specimens and the stocking of supplies. May have to deal with combative patients. Probation requirement: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. OR Education: Successful completion of two years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position, such as biology, chemistry, or medical technology. In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement above you must demonstrate specialized experience at the lower grade level. GS-04 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 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: Performing routine blood collection procedures such as venipuncture and capillary puncture Labeling and processing specimens Following safety and infection control procedures Using basic computer systems for data entry 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/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. 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.