Summary

The VA North Texas Healthcare System is a large tertiary healthcare system that provides acute - intermediate - and long-term care 24 hours a day - seven (7) days a week and on public holidays. The incumbent is required to work regular hours on recurrent basis.

Qualifications

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. AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: 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 requirement 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. Minimum Requirement: The following are minimum requirements for appointment as a Medical Technician in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - which all applicants must met For positions at GS-4 (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 - six (6) months of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled? To be creditable - specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. General Experience is: Independently performs phlebotomy procedures - following a sequence of steps approved for sample collection. Selects the best venipuncture site - most suitable phlebotomy equipment - and proper collection vials. Assesses condition of patient before - during - and after procedure. Identifies unusual test results or conditions that can lead to erroneous results. Assesses sample integrity and suitability - performing and resulting waived testing. OR Education and Training For GS-4: Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences - plus successful completion of the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. Physical demands Work is performed in a laboratory atmosphere and requires regular physical exertion such as walking - bending - recurrent standing and moderate lifting. The work requires specific physical characteristics abilities - and dexterity to perform intricate and technical procedures. Entering patient information - test orders - and data in a computer may result in physical problems from the effect of repetitive motion and eyestrain. The position may require assisting geriatric and disabled patients. The incumbent must have normal color vision Work environment The work involved moderate risks or discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory. Working in this environment involves regular recurring exposure to hazards such as infectious materials - chemicals - electrical appliances. The Worker takes special safety precautions and must use protective clothing and devices such as gloves - face shields - eye protectors - and safety shields in accordance with OHSHA guidelines. the incumbents' s dress personal appearance should reflect professional image of healthcare worker. 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: Demonstrates knowledge of principles - techniques - and practices of phlebotomy
• hemostasis - and requirement of blood collection for the various test performed in the laboratory
• Addresses patient phlebotomy issues such a difficult sticks - troubleshooting patient samples - and resolving patient/ patient family members and provider/nurse complaints or concerns
• Obtains timely and appropriate blood samples as ordered per PLMS policies and procedures for both inpatient and outpatient orders
• Cleans and restocked the blood collection room and areas where collection trays and equipment are used/stored
• Must understand isolation and precautions and the proper personal protective equipment necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures
• Identifies test that require special handling conditions and appropriately performs proper specimen
• Serves as a subject matter expert for other healthcare professional on the collection and processing of all laboratory
• Handles all specimens with Universal Precautions
• Maintains the appropriate enviromental conditions for specimens and handling them in a timely manner to preserve the physiological state of the specimen and ensure the quality of patient care is maintained
• Distributes - stores and delivers supplies and other materials used for phlebotomy service
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized