Please read this announcement in its entirety before beginning the application process to ensure you submit all the required documents. All documents requiring signature must be signed and dated prior to submission in order to be considered complete.
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill one (1) full-time Health Technician vacancy at the Louisville, KY VAMC, with the Pathology & Laboratory Service.
As a VA Professional, your opportunities are endless. With openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.
The Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) improves the health of our veterans by providing a continuum of care through an integrated health care delivery system. We are a tertiary care facility classified as a level 1b facility affiliated with The University of Louisville, as such integrates teaching, research, and advanced patient care, making it an attractive academic medical center. The facility offers a full spectrum of comprehensive health care services, using state-of-the-art technology and innovative programs, as well as education, and research to benefits to Veterans residing in 40 counties in Central and Western Kentucky and in Southern Indiana.
Summary
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 10115967.
Please read this announcement in its entirety before beginning the application process to ensure you submit all the required documents. All documents requiring signature must be signed and dated prior to submission in order to be considered complete.
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill one (1) full-time Health Technician vacancy at the Louisville, KY VAMC, with the Pathology & Laboratory Service.
As a VA Professional, your opportunities are endless. With openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.
The Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) improves the health of our veterans by providing a continuum of care through an integrated health care delivery system. We are a tertiary care facility classified as a level 1b facility affiliated with The University of Louisville, as such integrates teaching, research, and advanced patient care, making it an attractive academic medical center. The facility offers a full spectrum of comprehensive health care services, using state-of-the-art technology and innovative programs, as well as education, and research to benefits to Veterans residing in 40 counties in Central and Western Kentucky and in Southern Indiana.
This position is in the Central Processing Areas of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA Medical Center. Incumbent performs complex processing in a responsible manner of various types of employee and patient test samples. Uses experience and practical knowledge to handle details not covered in the guides and manuals. Major duties include but are not limited to:
- Sorts test order copies and independently plans the processing of test samples based on stat, routine or timed status of these orders.
- Accession lab orders in VISTA by entering accurate time of collection to obtain barcode labels and accurately label all collected test specimens with required patient & test information.
- Appropriately transport and deliver the collected specimens to various section of laboratory by following established guidelines, for testing in timely manner.
- When need arise, using responsible independent judgment, cancel or delete orders with appropriate explanation comments along with appropriate physician and/or ward personnel notification.
- Answer inquiries by physicians, nurses and other ward personnel regarding status of patients test orders, appropriate containers for collection of blood, urine and other test samples for various types of testing.
- Receives test samples collected by physicians, nurses and other ward personnel as well as specimens collected and delivered from Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
- Determine the adequacy of such samples. Resolves specimen adequacy problems with the specimen collection site personnel to obtain correct and appropriate test samples.
- Follows correct procedures and policies for all rejected specimens. Appropriately document the reason for specimen rejection in VISTA in test order comments, complete necessary paper work for quality assurance reporting and notify the test ordering physician if needed. If required, generate new test request in VISTA for recollection of samples.
- Accession all ward-collect test orders in VISTA by documenting appropriate collection time to generate bar-code labels. Label all specimens accurately by following established procedures and policies.
- Separate STAT and Routine test request samples according to protocol. Prioritize processing of STAT test order requests and delivers such specimens for testing immediately and notify the technologist of test urgency to comply with established test turn around time guidelines.
- Transport and deliver labeled test specimens that do not require any processing to appropriate section of the laboratory for testing in timely manner.
- Centrifuge test specimens that require centrifugation, pour off serum or plasma samples in appropriately labeled transport tubes for refrigerator or freezer specimen storage for future testing.
- Handles body fluid specimens other than blood and urine as well as samples for Microbiology section testing and Tissue & Cytology samples for Histology section testing by following established procedures and policies.
- Handles telephone requests for add-on test requests from inpatient and outpatient settings. Determine the volume required for add-on tests by examining samples on hand and guides the requesting site to generate computer orders in VISTA
accordingly. Accession all add-on test orders and prepare labeled transport tubes to pour off specimen for required testing.
- Answers the telephone inquiries from hospital staff about patient's testing status and other general inquiries about test specimen collections. Forwards telephone inquiries that require testing technologist's intervention.
- Stocks central processing work supplies, cleans and maintains work area.
- Operates a personal computer, printer, scanner/fax, etc. to complete a variety of tasks by utilizing Microsoft Office software. These tasks include but not limited to service reports, typing and updating technical manuals requiring special tables and
formatting, etc.
- Scans all specimens received into the lab into an EXCEL spreadsheet. Maintains the spreadsheet and database ensuring they are error free and available for the next day and shift.
- Performs and documents maintenance on centrifuges in the central process area.
- The incumbent maintains printers in the central processing area by maintaining labels and proper alignment. He/She is able to provide instructions over the phone to staff for simple repairs to the printers. She/He directs the caller to the service
ADPAC or IRM when appropriate.
- Maintains specimens in the walk-in refrigerator and disposes of specimens according to laboratory guidelines.
Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 pm with 30 minute meal break.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/ 5174 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
You may be required to serve a probationary period
Subject to background/security investigation
Physical Requirements: Depending upon the nature of work assigned, there may be long periods of standing, bending, sitting or long periods of specimen processing work. In addition, there are long periods of concentration and working under pressure to accomplish desired results as rapidly as possible while maintaining accuracy and precision of work produced.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/05/2018.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: preform venipuncture procedures, administer Glucose Tolerance and D-Xylose tests, documenting test results accurately, prepare labeled transport tubes to pour off specimen for testing, transport and deliver labeled test specimens timely, obtain other samples such as urine, blood, stool, or other body fluids specimens , provide instructions to patients on specimen collections, collect urine samples and properly document and handling of samples and documentation for drug testing procedures, use independent judgment and documentation when canceling or deleting orders, prioritize and separate STAT and routine test requests, answer inquiries by physicians, nurses and other personnel regarding status of patients test orders and results, centrifuge test specimens, pour off serum or plasma samples in appropriately labeled transport tubes for refrigeration or freezing, enter data into Excel and Word documents, and generate graphs and/or charts, operate a personal computer, printer, scanner/fax to complete a variety of tasks with Micro Soft Office applications. OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours directly related to the position. 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 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.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Computer Skills
Customer Service
Medical Information
Organizational Stewardship
In addition to the above competencies, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are essential for this position:
Knowledge of medical laboratory terminology and laboratory functions.
Ability to ensure quality and integrity of specimen samples and processing.
Skill in the use of computer application, automated equipment and manual techniques in the performance of daily laboratory duties.
Ability to communicate on phone and in person with various levels of medical professionals and patients.
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.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. It is the responsibility of the applicant to identity the courses related to the occupation, by providing a course description from the college or university if not clearly identifiable on the school's transcripts. We do NOT make assumptions from the course number that the listed courses meet the requirement. (REQUIRED)
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time, however, your resume must clearly identify the specialized experience need for this position. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Missing and/or incomplete required documents will result in not being referred. Ensure all forms requiring a signature are signed and dated within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement.
In accordance with VA Handbook 5005, " Veterans preference does not apply to in service placements such as promotion, reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer or reinstatement actions." There is no need to provide supporting documents relating to Veteran preference (i.e. DD-214, VA Disability rating letter, SF-15)
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume. (REQUIRED by ALL) Your resume must have the following information for each position you have listed on your resume: position title, employer, city/state, duties, begin/end dates of employment including the month and year (mm/yy - mm/yy), and full-time or part-time status with the number of hours worked each week. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Latest non-award SF-50 (REQUIRED by current Federal employees) MUST include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action must be submitted showing current position, grade, series, etc.). 'Award' or 'Incentive' SF-50 DO NOT contain the required information and will not be considered valid required documentation to verify status.
Completed Occupational Questionnaire (REQUIRED by ALL). You will be directed to this questionnaire when you apply online, however, if you are unable to apply on line, see the Additional Information "Alternate Application" option in this announcement (note: The Alternate Application phone line is only available Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 6:00pm Eastern Time, excluding Federal holidays.).https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10115967
Clear Copy of Transcripts for education verification. Required if you are applying on the basis of your education, you are REQUIRED to submit a legible copy of your college transcript in order to use education to qualify. See Veteran's Preference section of this announcement.
In addition to the above required documents, the following documents are preferred:
Latest Performance Appraisal.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), or CTAP documentation (for displaced VA employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Cover Letter
Resume
SF-50
Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/05/2018 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10115967.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Robley Rex VA Medical Center
800 Zorn Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Missing and/or incomplete required documents will result in not being referred. Ensure all forms requiring a signature are signed and dated within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement.
In accordance with VA Handbook 5005, " Veterans preference does not apply to in service placements such as promotion, reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer or reinstatement actions." There is no need to provide supporting documents relating to Veteran preference (i.e. DD-214, VA Disability rating letter, SF-15)
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume. (REQUIRED by ALL) Your resume must have the following information for each position you have listed on your resume: position title, employer, city/state, duties, begin/end dates of employment including the month and year (mm/yy - mm/yy), and full-time or part-time status with the number of hours worked each week. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Latest non-award SF-50 (REQUIRED by current Federal employees) MUST include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action must be submitted showing current position, grade, series, etc.). 'Award' or 'Incentive' SF-50 DO NOT contain the required information and will not be considered valid required documentation to verify status.
Completed Occupational Questionnaire (REQUIRED by ALL). You will be directed to this questionnaire when you apply online, however, if you are unable to apply on line, see the Additional Information "Alternate Application" option in this announcement (note: The Alternate Application phone line is only available Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 6:00pm Eastern Time, excluding Federal holidays.).https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10115967
Clear Copy of Transcripts for education verification. Required if you are applying on the basis of your education, you are REQUIRED to submit a legible copy of your college transcript in order to use education to qualify. See Veteran's Preference section of this announcement.
In addition to the above required documents, the following documents are preferred:
Latest Performance Appraisal.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), or CTAP documentation (for displaced VA employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Cover Letter
Resume
SF-50
Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/05/2018 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10115967.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Robley Rex VA Medical Center
800 Zorn Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
