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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

The primary purpose of this position is to perform as a phlebotomist drawing blood on human patients, specimen processing, shipment of biological specimen, point of care testing, and other laboratory responsibilities. Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Obtains venous and capillary blood specimens from patients.
• Uses and applies knowledge of human anatomy, aseptic techniques and phlebotomy material selection (vacutainer, syringe, butterfly, lance).
• Selects phlebotomy site based upon the patient's condition, age group, and type of test needed.
• Prepares phlebotomy site for proper specimen collection.
• Ensures proper identification of patients.
• Labels specimens after each blood draw.
• Provides detailed instruction to patients for specialized testing requirements.
• Performs and documents glucose testing.
• Aids physicians by processing a wide variety of clinical pathology specimens for shipment.
• Prepares containers for collection.
• Centrifuges specimens and aliquots sample into proper shipping container.
• Receives, packages and ships anatomical pathology and cytology samples to appropriate reference laboratories.
• Researches and resolves problems associated with sample collection.
• Maintains laboratory facility, equipment, instruments and supplies; performs inventory of stock.
• Instructs others in phlebotomy, specimen processing and shipping (i.e. process patient samples, centrifuge, sort, label, separate, pack, mark and ship, etc.) as well as, using equipment, instruments and supplies appropriately.
• Maintains patient records, requisitions, monthly reports, and other files.
• Serves as receptionist at the laboratory front desk, greeting patients, providing them with appropriate guidance and answering nontechnical inquiries.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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 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

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 (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration.

The SPF for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant 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 work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in Federal Service. Qualifying 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. In addition, specialized experience required at this grade level includes preparing samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, decanting, and aliquoting samples into proper shipping container; and inventorying and maintaining laboratory stock levels. OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Requires one-half year of Graduate education (9 semester hours above Bachelor's level), or an internship, directly related to the position (e.g., chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology, serology). OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed Graduate education and specialized experience as described above are also qualifying.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Patient Care
• Specimen Collection

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.