Clarification from the agency

Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration: 1)CTAP Eligible Applicants 2) Facility Employees - Current, permanent JDD Medical Center employees; 3) Other VA Employees - Current, permanent VA Employees located at other VA medical centers.

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The Medical Technician performs both routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology in support of a medical laboratory.

Major duties and responsibilities will include:

• Perform advanced phlebotomy services. Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer systems, syringe, butterfly, and/or capillary finger sticks.
• Collects blood specimens, using correct container and order of draw. Collects urine specimens and cultures in a manner that preserves the integrity of sample. Collects specimens using proper patient identification and specimen labeling.
• Receiving, collecting, sorting, recording, storing and/or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing/diagnostic procedures can be performed.
• Obtaining additional data or information from healthcare providers as needed.
• Performs computerized accessioning of patient specimens. Uses a computer to retrieve laboratory test information
• Maintaining the laboratory and equipment in a clean and safe condition.
• Monitoring specimens, equipment, and laboratory for acceptability.
• Ensuring that sufficient supply are available at all times.
• Monitors the status and progress of work and makes day-to- day adjustments in accordance with established work assignment protocols and priorities of the work area. Ensure all levels of supplies are adequate - Inventory.
• Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specialization.
• Constructs daily task assignment schedules and edits the schedule according to workload fluctuations, scheduled and unscheduled leave.
• Organizes work and set priorities to meet deadlines.
• Act as a liaison to other departments and represents the laboratory in meetings.
• Recommending changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accurately, and safety.
• Establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintaining appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules.
• Assisting in training personnel and/or students in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety.
• Functioning as a point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to the supervisory to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies.
• Accepting/documenting incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system.
• Processing specimens and selecting appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimens, patient information, and laboratory resources.
• Reporting all specimen problems according to established guidelines.
• Work with supervisor to arrive at solutions that minimizes organizational disruptions on any job-related issues.
• Functions as a reliable, dependable leader to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goal of the work unit.
• Readily accepts additional responsibilities during brief periods where immediate supervisor is away from the work site.
• Covers for supervisor for short periods of time.
• Participating in quality assurance activities.
• Answer questions and solve problems exercising independent judgment, as they arise from the phlebotomist.
• Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations associated with Phlebotomy. Ensures HIPPA, OSHA, CAP and all other regulatory agencies standards are being met.
• Performing related duties as required.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Rotating weekends and holidays, 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Lead Medical Technician/PD937910
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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
• 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f).
• Education. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performing technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic, and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings, or technical support work in a closely related field such as biological laboratory technician work that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. If you are using education to qualify, you need to submit a transcript based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of this position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one-year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. 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 graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Specimen Collection - Uses proper specimen collection techniques (phlebotomy/venipuncture, finger sticks, urine, sputum, tissue, etc.); selects appropriate site for sample collection to minimize patient discomfort; uses correct containers and labels; monitors patients for adverse reactions.
• Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Customer Service - Works and communicates with clients and customers (e.g., any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit provides, including individuals who work in your agency or in other agencies or organizations outside the Government) to satisfy their expectations. Committed to quality services.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of instructional methods such as teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, and testing.
• Managing Human Resources - Plans, distributes, coordinates, and monitors work assignments of others; evaluates work performance and provides feedback to others on their performance; ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner.

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.

Must possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations. (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) i ASCP, Board of Certification. OR ii ASCP, Board of Registry. (b) American Medical Technologists. OR (c) American Association of Bioanalysts. (2) Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may receive a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed two years as a graduate MLT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 40 pounds. In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or good color vision. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions. Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear. Work areas must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. CTAP Eligible Applicants
2. Facility Employees - Current, permanent JDD Medical Center employees
3. All other VA Employees - Current, permanent VA Employees located at other VA medical centers.

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. 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.

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

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.

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.