Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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Primary Purpose: The primary purpose of the position is to be responsible for providing phlebotomy, specimen processing and testing functions, clinical patient support as well as for providing general clerical and administrative support for all patient activities. The incumbent accepts and supports the guiding principles of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) and will performs his or her duties in a manner that promotes patient safety, quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran. Furthermore, the incumbent actively supports the team concept and continually functions as a team player.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Explain work requirements and procedures, giving special instructions with regard to specimen collection, specimen preparation, special specimen handling and test analysis.
• Perform and provide a wide variety of supportive skills in specimen collection, specimen receiving from hospital and outpatient PCC, specimen verification, and specimen handling, sorting, separation, sets up and ready to load specimen for testing.
• The work consists of related steps, processes associated with the accessioning, processing, and phlebotomy duties.
• Conducts on the job training of employees who need skill development or enhancement.
• Perform a wide variety of blood collection of a responsible nature requiring a representative knowledge of clinical science to understand the multiplicity of tests and specimen requirements, the mechanics of venipuncture and patient preparation.
• Demonstrate versatility of skill in rapidly proceeding from one patient to another to perform multiple and simultaneous collection using accurate patient and specimen identification procedures.
• Perform all clerical duties required of the position, including work lists, logs, etc.
• Provides orientation/training in performance of phlebotomy and test procedures with the information and experience required to understand underlying disease processes and inform the healthcare provider if unable to obtain.
• Sets up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures, making sure that all phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standard.
• Orders and maintains specialized supplies pertaining to ancillary instruments used in the drawing areas.
• Makes determinations where instructions or guidelines are only general in nature and do not contain specific details.
• Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the appropriate Medical/Health Care Provider.
• Uses initiative in direction the activities of the phlebotomy area and works independently without specific instruction.
• Obtains assistance from the Supervisory Medical Technologist for unusual patient issues and/or unfamiliar situations.
• Monitors environment to ensure patient safety during phlebotomy procedures.
• Exercises a high degree of flexibility and ability to function in emergent patient care situations.
• Transports specimens to the laboratory including those requiring special handling.
• Cleans disinfects and sterilizes equipment and ancillary equipment according to Medical Center Policies and Procedures.
• Adheres to the Infection Control Guidelines for the Medical Center
• Maintains record of procedures performed in the Drawing Areas.
• Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities.
• Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal skills with patients, families, and all Medical Center employees.
• Timeliness, accuracy, service customer satisfaction, and comfort to the patient are the key processes.

Work Schedule: Various Shifts, Rotating, Evenings, Days, Weekend
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (OA) Phlebotomist/PD01582A
Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• 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 identification 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)

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.

Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.

Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-5 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-4, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to knowledge of guidelines related to phlebotomy procedures and procurement. Knowledge and skills required monitoring patients' physical and psychological response to procedures, standard precautions, Infection Control principles and guidelines, asepsis and management of contaminated specimens, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, structure involved in blood drawing, veins, nerves, skin. Setting up, cleaning and routine maintenance of selected clinical instrumentation; directing patients, answering routine inquiries, and making referrals. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 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.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-5 level.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for extended periods of time, bending standing, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching. The work requires duty on weekends, holidays, and nights when so assigned. This position is also considered high-risk because of the constant exposure to blood and fluid products, sharps, and chemicals.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.