Summary This position is located at the Lake City, FL VA under The North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System is a tertiary healthcare system that provides acute, intermediate, and long-term care 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week and holidays. The incumbent is required to work regular hours of duty on a recurrent basis with rotating weekend responsibilities Responsibilities Must be knowledgeable of the DHHS specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines. Handle of specimens in accordance with Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program as administered and regulated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for drug testing of employees. Performs work related to test and examinations using the techniques of medical laboratory practice in one or more specialized areas. Collects urine specimens and cultures in a manner that preserves the integrity of sample. Uses a computer to retrieve laboratory test information. Performs computerized accessioning of patient specimens. Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques of urine, stool, or other fluid collections. Identifies patients and ensure proper sample procurement and specimen labeling. Prepares samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, decanting and aliquoting, etc. Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations associated with phlebotomy. Collects specimens using proper patient identification and specimen labeling. Maintains operational and quality control logs, records, and worksheets. Identifies unusual test results or discrepancies/conditions that can lead to erroneous results. Work Schedule: Various Shift Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD04163A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The position is located address is at 619 S Marion Ave, Lake City, FL 32025. Requirements 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/trial 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/13/2025. The Medical Technician Series 0645 has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) as listed below. Specialized Experience For this occupational series you must have experience with (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. OR Education and Training Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled. In addition to the IOR you must meet the Specialized Experience listed below. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 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 and Experience in communication skills to work effectively and diplomatically with other healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Knowledge and Experience of Medical Terminology, biology, human anatomy and physiology, laboratory testing protocols, and common illnesses specific to various routine test requests. Experience and Ability to organize material and procedures associated with the pre-analytic accessioning and processing of a wide spectrum of clinical specimens for multiple laboratory assays and ensure the accurate and timely handling of specimens. Knowledge and Experience of various menus, options, and procedures, to use the VISTA computer system, CPRS, LEDI software, and the commercial laboratory computer system. Knowledge and Experience in phlebotomy technique, procedures, such as Vacutainer collection system, safety needles and butterfly needle devices, syringes and capillary puncture techniques and other specimen collection procedures, such as stool collections, sputum samples, and other specialty time collections such as salivary cortisol levels. Ability to perform phlebotomy based on knowledge of standardized approved procedures and techniques on patients ranging in age from young adult to elderly with ability to use approved deviations from standard techniques to draw difficult patients. He/she must be able to exercise independent judgment in the absence of supervisory control. Knowledge and ability to access and utilize VISTA and CPRS to accurately read and interpret electronic lab requisitions, and to utilize the electronic systems to accession, add, delete and merge test as needed. He/she must be able to observe and report physical or mental changes in a patient. Knowledge and Experience in of all safety, disaster, exposure controls, chemical and hand hygiene techniques, and infection control plans. Knowledge and Experience in Standard Precautions, use of personal protective equipment during specimen collection and processing. Knowledge and Experience in the medical facility mission, functions, goals, and objectives. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Interpersonal Effectiveness Specimen Collection Technical Competence 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 is performed in a laboratory atmosphere and requires regular and physical exertion such as sitting (2-4 hours), walking (6-8 hours), repetitive bending (6-8 hours), standing (6-8 hours), moderate lifting (14-30 pounds), and average carrying (14-30 pounds). The work requires specific physical characteristics and abilities, and dexterity needed to perform complex analytical and technical procedures. Use of both hands and all fingers required, both legs required, ability to reach beyond shoulder (2 hours), ability to pull hand over fist (0.25 hours), ability to push (0.5 hours). Capacity for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, Depth perception, Normal color vision, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability. Performing phlebotomy and entering patient information, test orders, and data in a computer may expose the technician to repetitive motion. 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/. Education 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through [insert date]. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
