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The Health Technician is assigned to Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Western New York Healthcare System and reports directly to Outpatient Laboratory Supervisory Health Technician. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of lab functions including but not limited to: accession specimens into computer system, collect patient specimens (phlebotomy), answer questions relative to patient specimens, as well as instruct and assist patients.
Learn more about this agency11/25/2022 to 12/16/2022
$37,542 - $48,804 per year
GS 5
3 vacancies in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent -
Multiple Schedules -
Competitive
None
No
Yes
CAYV-11739839-23-VL
691163200
Major Duties:
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures:
Performs a range of diagnostic laboratory support duties such as collection and labeling of specimens for the laboratory. Performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens and collection/acceptance of other body fluid such as urine or sputum. Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples. Ensures and verifies correct labeling and patient identification. Records test time and intervals as appropriate. Processes and assures proper storage of specimens. Performs limited waived testing such fingerstick glucose testing. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing testing. Assists in the training of new employees on specimen collection procedures. Uses hospital computer system to perform routine work such as, reviewing and accepting lab orders, entering test results and gathering information required to complete assigned duties. Performs routine or repetitive work in a laboratory setting. The work requires a basic familiarity with overall function of the laboratory.
Receives and Directs Patients:
Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care and educating patients on pre-testing and post-testing activities. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance.
Receives and directs patients, instructs patients in the proper collection of specimens such as midstream urine collection, 24-hour urine collection, collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, etc. When performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens instructs patient in procedure to be followed prior to, during and after the test in order to obtain specimens at the required time.
Control Records and Document Test Results:
Verifies the accuracy and completeness of requests. Interacts with hospital/ clinic personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergent situations and take necessary action. Establishes priorities for emergent orders. Notifies technologists of impending work. Maintains records for routine patient tests or laboratory transactions. Verifies sample transport requirements for a variety of laboratory tests, including cultures, biopsies, etc. Adheres to special instructions, such as transport on ice, deliver immediately, protect from light, etc. Obtains and provides basic test information for patient and caregivers. Verifies laboratory orders, clarifies unusual requests with initiating provider. Provides basic patient education on pre-testing and post-procedure patient activities. Verifies identifiers such as patient identification, time of sample, type of test requested. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies, which may cause erroneous test results. Enters data in control records. Monitors transmission to testing laboratory and receipt of results.
Maintenance Duties:
Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment, controls supply and maintains and controls laboratory records. Maintains the blood drawing area, including the replacement of supplies as needed. Determines that no outdated reagents, tubes, etc., are left on the shelves. Ensures the proper rotation of reagents for proper usage by expiration date.
Performs other duties as assigned.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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. 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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 12/16/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11739839.
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.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/691163200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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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 whole health care to Veterans?
