Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration ( VHA), assigned to the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. Located in Asheville, NC. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION DUTIES: Performs venipunctures by correctly identifying patients as to name and full social security number, selecting appropriate collection devices (i.e., proper collection tube, appropriate anticoagulant, etc.) and taking any necessary precautions in specimen preparation (i.e., protect carotenes from light, place ammonias in ice slurry, etc.). Collects stat specimens and therapeutic drugs from outpatients, critical care units or Emergency Department as required. Delivers specimens from collection areas to the main laboratory for analysis Compiles with all Medical Center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. Performs inventory of collection supplies and stocks designated areas, including wards. Evaluates suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable. Controls sample physical conditions and responds to time factors Measures 24-hour urine collections accurately and prepares aliquots for analysis. Performs glucose tolerance tests using multiple complex steps; must interpret fasting glucose level and determine appropriate dosage of glucose by integrating patient's age, weight, and pregnancy status. Review and verify interfaced laboratory test results received from reference laboratories. Sort and distribute specimens to all sections of the laboratory to include chemistry, hematology, coagulation, rapid testing, microbiology and send outs in order or priority for best patient results and to meet turn-around times. Perform other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: Draws blood from patients and/or blood donors. Explains procedures to patients. Verifies patient's or donor's identity to ensure proper labeling of the blood. Provides assistance if patients have adverse reactions after blood is drawn. Labels the drawn blood for testing or processing. Enters patient information into a database. Assembles and maintains medical instruments such as needles, test tubes, and blood vials. Abides by infection control procedures. Takes inventory of supplies and stocks. Trains other staff members in phlebotomy techniques. ~OR~ EDUCATION: 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. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above. Note: only 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. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires fingers dexterity and hand/eye coordination required to preform blood collections and to manipulate a variety of laboratory devices, such as computerized instruments and computer terminals. May lift or other wise assists other personnel in positioning patients. For routine and emergency procedures, positions under/on top of laboratory counters or instrument cabinets the reagent and supply items, some of which can weigh more than 45 pounds also, prolonged periods of standing , walking , pushing and reaching. Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing . Ability to operate loa oratory equipment. computers and other equipment. Must wear personal protective equipment film badges as required for the designated work area. the work requires some physical workday. Due the meticulous nature of the job in the laboratory there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/ eye coordination. Work Environment: works in a well-lighted, ventilated and temperature-controlled area in the hospital/clinical laboratory setting. Exposure to conditions normally expected in a laboratory setting which include blood and body fluids, chemical hazards, pathogens, and communicable diseases. The Selectee must comply with all Medical Center policies, procedures, and safety practices. Demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safely protocol to include standard precautions, SDS safety program, use of personal protective equipment in designated area, and perform proper hand-washing techniques. The Selectee must demonstrate a positive attitude in the workplace showing dependability, cooperation and desire to produce the most accurate, timely and cost-contained results attainable. The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals. The selectee is required to use personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, gloves, or shields and carefully follow written procedures to minimize risks. 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 IMPORTANT: 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 Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. 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. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. 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/. Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation.
