Summary

This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Worcester - MA.

Qualifications

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill - knowledge - ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. (This experience must be documented in your resume.) ~AND~ 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. In addition to the requirements listed above - the following is also required: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge - skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position - and that is typically in or related to the work of this Medical Technician position. To be creditable - this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes: (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. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree - with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. 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. Education cannot be credited without documentation. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.) ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience - as described above - to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-5 level. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE AND COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.) 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/.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major Duties: Performs phlebotomy from outpatients ensuring that the blood is placed in the proper vacutainer and correctly labeled
• Provides a friendly - helpful - and respectful working environment
• Instructs patients on proper specimen collection - on those specimens the patient must collect
• Evaluates suitability of specimen for testing
• Handles accession and the processing of specimens appropriately
• Prepares and packages specimens for shipment
• Ensures correct identity of patients throughout the processing of the specimens
• Resolve discrepancies
• Ensures that incoming samples are correctly collected - labeled - and stored at appropriate temperatures
• Centrifuges specimens and when required - pour-off serum into correctly labeled secondary tubes properly
• Makes the appropriate arrangements for STAT and/or ASAP testing
• Monitors supplies and stocks the phlebotomy area accordingly at the end of the workday
• Utilizes the computer according to laboratory procedure/policy
• Follows all hospital and laboratory policies/procedures
• Adheres to hospital and lab policies concerning chemical and biohazard safety
• Performs other duties as assigned
• DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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 result is received
• Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized