Summary The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. The incumbent serves as a Student Trainee in the Send Outs/Processing department in the clinical laboratory of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Responsibilities This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Receives specimens into the laboratory area following all applicable policies and procedures. - Verifies patient identification and specimen labeling prior to acceptance into the laboratory. - Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Follows established protocol for handling of mislabeled/unlabeled specimens. - Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by provider and accurately accessions specimens and maintains correct identification by name and/or accession number through each phase of processing/testing. - Accessions tests into the laboratory computer system and ensures all applicable orders are utilized. - Recognizes emergency testing situations and takes necessary action to direct the sample to the proper location. He/she notifies the laboratory staff of the need for emergent testing. - Demonstrated ability to cope with stressful situations and troubleshooting to deal with problem samples. - Processes samples as required following all applicable policies and procedures. Labels, relabels, and/or aliquots specimens when necessary. - May be responsible for microbiology set-ups to include plating and accessioning of microbiology samples following all established protocols. Work Schedule: Negotiable, minimum 4 hours per week Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92683-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job You must be at least 16 years old (by closing date of this vacancy announcement) 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-required males (over 18) born after 12/31/59 Must be accepted for/currently enrolled in a qualified educational institution You may be required to serve a probationary 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, 08/20/2025. Internship Program: To be eligible applicants must: Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position. Be able to work at least 4 hours per week. Meet the grade qualifications must be met prior to start date. To qualify for the GS 4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours). Transcripts are required. Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement, Maintain status as a current student, Maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale, Adhere to an established work schedule approved by the supervisor, Provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and academic transcripts at the end of each academic period and upon request, Perform, successfully, the duties and responsibilities in the assigned position description, Observe all workplace rules, such as dress code, office conduct and behavior, Participate in all VA mandatory training programs (either on-line or in the classroom), Notify the supervisor of any changes in the completion of the educational program, such as graduation date, changes in the major degree requirements, or changes in the educational institution's accreditation. Upon completion on the program Interns may be non-competitively converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all of their educational and work experience requirements. A list of the occupations series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. 0640 Health Technician, 0645 Medical Laboratory Technician and a 0644 Clinical Laboratory Scientist 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/. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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/. Physical Requirements: The work environment in the laboratory involves the use of chemicals, some of which may be toxic if mishandled. Clinical specimens are a biologic hazard due to the possibility of transmission of infectious disease, and are handled continuously by the Medical Technician GS-4, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (I 13), Clinical Chemistry/Blood Bank Hematology technician. The medical technician is required lo use personal protective equipment such as laboratory coats and gloves in the performance of routine and special tasks within the laboratory. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application. A screenshot of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not an acceptable substitute for your transcript and will not be used in qualifying. 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. Additional Information You are excluded from health benefits coverage if you are expected to work less than 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
