Summary The position is located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System for Nursing Service in the various Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) including Oceanside and Sorrento Valley. The position is responsible for providing skilled phlebotomy, quality assurance compliant specimen processing and testing functions, clinical patient support and general administrative support for all patient related activities in the satellite CBOC labs. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Phlebotomy / Specimen Processing/ Electrocardiograms Performs skilled venipuncture in accordance with facility and laboratory policies and procedures. Assures all test tubes are labeled accurately when performing venipuncture using facility and laboratory designated patient identifiers. Verifies correct patient identification, performs proper specimen handling and labeling, accessions specimens, checks that lab test requests are consistent with physician orders, generates labels and sorts labeled specimens. Perform a wide variety of blood collection in a responsible nature requiring enhanced knowledge of clinical science to understand the multiplicity of tests and specimen requirements, the mechanics of venipuncture and patient preparation. Performs tests that are new and involve very fine distinctions. Explain work requirements and procedures, giving special instructions with regard to specimen collection, specimen preparation, special specimen handling and test analysis Incumbent works closely with facility and laboratory computers systems, CPRS and VistA to accession specimens and retrieve results. Performs routine Electrocardiograms and ensure data uploading to electronic medical record (CPRS). Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the appropriate Medical/Health Care Provider. Monitors the patient environment to ensure patient safety during phlebotomy procedures. Adheres to infection control policy for all lab procedures. Responsible for specialized preparation of specimens for transport to the main laboratory for appropriate processing. Responsible for cleaning disinfecting and sterilization of equipment and ancillary equipment according to Medical Center Policies and Procedures. Adheres to the Infection Control Guidelines for the Medical Center. Provides administrative support for the unit Performs all clerical duties required of the position, including work lists, logs, and pending lists. Maintains record of procedures performed in the phlebotomy area. Provides orientation/training in performance of phlebotomy and test procedures with the information and experience required to understand underlying disease processes, and inform the physician if unable to obtain specimen. Responds to technical questions regarding patient rights and responsibilities. Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment and controls supplies. Sets up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures, making sure that all phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standard. Determines compliance with safety requirements, establishes inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintains appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules. Maintains laboratory stock and orders materials as needed. Maintains laboratory in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements. Calibrates and maintains laboratory Instrumentation on timely intervals so as to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures. Conducts work according to Laboratory Safety Regulations and instructs coworkers on safety policies and procedures. Functions as primary point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to supervisor to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies. Establishes and maintains customer relationships Duties involves customer satisfaction utilizing phone and face to face communication with all levels of clinical, clerical and administrative staff and our Veteran customers. Incumbent must exhibit a professional attitude and technical competence. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with agency customers, co-workers, the general public and others who come in contact with the lab. Obtains release forms as per policy and assists patients, visitors, and others requesting information. Provides guidance or referral for special assistance. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Work Schedule: Full-Time. Work schedule will be discussed upon selection and based on the needs of the clinic. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomist)/ 10875A Physical Requirements: The work requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand/eye coordination, some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, bending, standing, sitting and concentration for long periods of time during the preparation of specimens. In many situations, the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Position requires lifting of reagent containers and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 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 is defined as Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled such as providing skilled phlebotomy, quality assurance compliant specimen processing and testing functions, clinical patient support and general administrative support for all patient related activities in the satellite CBOC labs. Performs skilled venipuncture in accordance with facility and laboratory policies and procedures. Perform a wide variety of blood collection in a responsible nature requiring enhanced knowledge of clinical science to understand the multiplicity of tests and specimen requirements, the mechanics of venipuncture and patient preparation. Phlebotomy collection will be from a variety of outpatient veterans and employees. The employee will be expected to demonstrate versatility of skill in rapidly proceeding from one patient to another to perform multiple and simultaneous collections using accurate patient and specimen identification procedures. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience to qualify at the GS-05 level: Successfully completed one full year in a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. Training: Completion of appropriate training such as in service training programs, training acquired while serving in the Armed Forces, and government-sponsored developmental training programs will be allowed credit on a month-for-month basis, generally through the GS-5 level. Such training meets general or specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability. Such training meets general or specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability. OR Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level: Have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 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. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-05.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. Must have a current Phlebotomy License and BLS 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. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Additional Information 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.
