Summary Phlebotomists serve as a Medical Technician in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Lexington, KY. Incumbent performs many lab functions which include, but is not limited to the following tasks: accessions specimens into computer system, collects patient specimens (phlebotomy), answers questions relative to patient specimens, and instructs and assists patients, and instructs and assists patients specimen collection. Responsibilities Duties include, but not limited to: Interprets requests or instructions for medical or heath care personnel. Employee understands ,and carries out the requests made by the health care professional. Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients and providing personal patient care. Performs a range of diagnostic laboratory support duties such as collection and labeling of specimens for the laboratory. Performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture for collection of blood specimens and collection/acceptance of other body fluids such as urine. Uses proper sterile techniques for collection of samples. Centrifuges blood specimens in the Leestown Outpatient Phlebotomy Sections. Ensures and verifies correct labeling and patient identification. Records collection times and intervals as appropriate processes and assures proper storage of specimens. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing tests. Assists in the training of new employees on specimen collection procedures and proper labeling of specimens. Uses hospital computer system to perform routine work such as, reviewing and accepting lab orders, entering test results and gathering information required to complete assigned duties. Performs routine or repetitive work in a laboratory setting. Notifies physician of any problem with orders or specimens. Informs personnel outside the laboratory which includes physicians, nurses, medical students and patients of the appropriate specimen, specimen collection procedure, and requirements for analysis. Performs quality assurance monitoring of specimens sent to the laboratory for analysis. Maintains supplies for the phlebotomy/accessioning area, including frequent checks for outdated/expired supplies. Secures the .confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Performs blood-drawing duties in a courteous, calm manner, so patient is as comfortable as possible. Performs direct patient support work to include collecting information from patients, providing personal patient care and educating patients on pre-testing and post-testing activities. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Performs administrative tasks including records for specimens obtained, documenting measurements taken to obtain specimens, functions as a resource person for other non-laboratory personnel on specimen collection requirements and patient preparation for any lab request. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of requests, interacts with hospital/clinic personnel to correct discrepancies. Recognizes emergent situations and takes necessary action to prioritize emergent orders. Notifies technologists of impending work. Receives samples into the laboratory and processes them for testing, labels and transports specimens to appropriate station for testing. Maintains the blood drawing area. Performs any other duties which are in the best interested of patient care and deemed necessary by the supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm or 8am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD600103 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 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 identification 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, 06/30/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. A "Within Grade Increase" SF-50 is the best standalone SF-50 document for demonstrating Time-In-Grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. 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-5 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 of basic anatomy sufficient to assure accurate and appropriate phlebotomy procedures including the knowledge required to implement and monitor phlebotomy guidelines and policies. Knowledge of laboratory test requests and medical terminology sufficient to ensure appropriate specimen tube selection and proper blood procurement. Knowledge and skill sufficient to process specimens for routine laboratory test procedures in various sections of the laboratory including Chemistry, Blood Bank/Hematology and Microbiology. Knowledge and skill sufficient to operate laboratory centrifuges. Knowledge of basic clerical procedures to assist with laboratory record keeping and processing of reports. Knowledge and understanding of regulatory agencies requirements: College of American Pathologists and the Joint Commission. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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. . 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 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation.. 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. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: One year of Phlebotomy 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: The work requires standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires average agility and dexterity. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, carts, or machines; with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals. Employees are required to use protective clothing. Work area must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion. 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. Failure to upload a transcript, if basing all or part of your qualifications on education, will result in non-referral. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: successfully completed 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. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. 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 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. 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.
