Clarification from the agency

**THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN TO FACILITY EMPLOYEES OF THE FAYETTEVILLE NC VAMC ONLY** NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Lead Duties

This position reports directly to the Supervisory Health Technician and/or designee and is responsible for providing guidance and oversight of the section(s) specified as directed by the Supervisor. This includes participating in interviews, recommending appointment and evaluating work performance. The incumbent collaborates with the Supervisor in completing the laboratory schedule and adjusts staffing levels or work
procedures. This position ensures that all employees are aware of and abide by the appropriate hospital and laboratory safety regulations as provided by the Supervisor. Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the section. Leads the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level phlebotomy training programs to fulfill education and professional requirements as directed by the Supervisor. Ensures staff members complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education. Trains lower grade phlebotomy health technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. Assists employees in obtaining continuing education and determining their training needs. Conducts orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff upon initial test performance and annually thereafter as directed by the Supervisor. Ensures a team approach to daily work and promotes problem solving among the staff. Accepts and resolves technical problems that cannot be solved at a lower level and occasionally refers problems to a higher authority. Provides input into laboratory quality monitors, provides data as requested, and follows-up for compliance of the same.

Phlebotomy Duties

Properly identified patients utilizing the full name and social security number before collecting, processing and /or hospital computer entry of requests. Compares orders from multiple physicians and request the medical technologist to combine the orders. The incumbent properly identifies, labels and collection blood bank specimens for STAT and routine testing while next to the patient bedside or chair side. Must be proficient in phlebotomizing patient in varying debilitation (i.e., paralysis, stroke, mentally unstable, spinal cord injuries in fetal position and contractures). The incumbent
performs phlebotomy using specialized techniques for cleansing the blood collection site to prevent bacterial contamination that's critical to patient care, to ensure the contamination rate of blood cultures remains with in guidelines with blood culture contamination. The incumbent draws the blood tests ordered by providers for inpatients, outpatients, CBOC patients and for requested drug screens. When required, the incumbent draws blood from patients for requested laboratory test. Applies knowledge of human anatomy, aseptic and sterile techniques and phlebotomy equipment in selection of the phlebotomy site, taking into consideration the condition of the patient, age group, and the type of test requested. Selects
proper vacutainer tubes for testing using various sized needles, and/or butterfly collection devices to collect appropriate specimens.

Specimen Receipt and Processing

Responsible for receiving and preparing requests for testing and specimens into the clinical laboratory and evaluates the acceptability of each specimen, documents discrepancies, and resolves potential problems. Screens telephone calls and routes inquiries to appropriate personnel. Ensures proper processing and accession of specimens; especially those requiring special handling, and clearly communicates requirements to the laboratory staff. Contacts Medical Center staff for additional information to ensure that proper testing and interpretive data are received. Sorts specimens based on testing location, needs, and priority for turnaround time. Performs specimen processing and plating in microbiology. Able to cope with quick deadlines and uses knowledge of processing procedures to identify and resolve specimen errors.

Scheduling, Collecting & Processing Employee Drug Screens

Coordinates with Human Resources (HR) and Employee Occupational Health (EOH) to schedule preemployment and random drug screens collections. Performs drug screens by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) split specimen collection method and follows all regulatory and legal
requirements in maintaining the chain of custody of each specimen. Checks that all urine specimens are properly prepared, conducts temperature testing and attaches labels. Paperwork and processing for the sample is done by the same person and all forms are submitted with required information before the sample is packaged and sealed for shipping.


OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED


Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 9:00pm-7am.; rotating weekends and holidays
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD083590
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Telework: Not eligible

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.


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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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:

• SPECIAL PLACEMENT FACTOR: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients, training medical technicians, processing samples, and performing waived testing.

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.


Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Draws blood tests ordered by providers for inpatients, outpatients, CBOC patients and for requested drug screens. When required, the incumbent draws blood from patients for requested laboratory test. Applies knowledge of human anatomy, aseptic and sterile techniques and phlebotomy equipment in selection of the phlebotomy site, taking into consideration the condition of the patient, age group, and the type of test requested. Selects proper vacutainer tubes for testing using various sized needles, and/or butterfly collection devices to collect appropriate specimens. Establishes proper identity of all patients, ensures accountability of specimens by proper and complete labeling with patient's name and identification and initials all tubes drawn. Provides care based on physical, psychosocial, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served. Reports directly to the Supervisory Health Technician and/or designee and is responsible for providing guidance and oversight of the section(s) specified as directed by the Supervisor. This includes participating in interviews, recommending appointment, and evaluating work performance. The incumbent collaborates with the Supervisor in completing the laboratory schedule and adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. This position ensures that all employees are aware of and abide by the appropriate hospital and laboratory safety regulations as provided by the Supervisor. Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the section. Leads the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level phlebotomy training programs to fulfill education and professional requirements as directed by the Supervisor. Ensures staff members complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education. Trains lower grade phlebotomy health technicians in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. Assists employees in obtaining continuing education and determining their training needs.
  

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.


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

• Attention to Detail
• Computer Skills
• Customer Service
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Patient Care
• Quality Assurance
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Specimen Collection
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.


Physical Requirements: work requires no special physical demands. It may involve some sitting, walking, and standing for short periods or carrying light instruments and supplies.


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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Computer Skills
• Customer Service
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Patient Care
• Quality Assurance
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Specimen Collection
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.

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.

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.