Summary The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. As a Student Trainee (Medical and Health), the incumbent performs duties of a medical laboratory aide in the clinical laboratory of the Harry S. Truman Veterans Affairs Medical Center in drawing routine specimens during high workload times, late clinic hours, and short staff coverage. 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/. The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. Major responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to: Performing phlebotomy duties on both inpatients and outpatients. Utilizing a personal computer to access patient medical information. Using centrifuges and other laboratory equipment and supplies to process specimens after collection. Sorting, aliquots and distributing specimens throughout the laboratory and to other hospital and referral labs. Acting as courier to deliver specimens to UMHC laboratories and returning pathology reports, test results and specimens to the laboratory. Measuring, aliquots, and preparing preservatives for surgical and cytology specimens. Picking up, preserving, measuring, and aliquots and preparing for shipment all 24-hour urine collections. Stocking blood drawing and processing supplies in the receiving area and blood drawing room. Insuring printers in receiving room and blood drawing room are functioning properly, programs set up, and replacing paper, labels and ribbons. Answering queries from physicians, nurses and other hospital staff regarding test requirements, processing instructions, and test order status. Routing calls to the proper section of the laboratory. Work Schedule: This position is part time, Not-to-Exceed (NTE) 1-year. The Student Trainees will work rotating weekends, holidays and hours during school breaks. Work includes various shifts during the hours of 5:30am to Midnight and will change according to class schedules. 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 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 01/20/2026. 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. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Infection Control Medical Information Specimen Collection Technology Application 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. 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 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.
