Summary This position is located in the Nursing, Ambulatory Care Service at the Missoula, MT OPC Laboratory. The incumbent performs a variety of functions, including: Accessioning specimens into the computer system; collecting, evaluating and processing patient specimens; answering questions related to sample co lection; instructing and assisting patients and sending out specimens for testing. Follows policies and procedures established by the service, medical center, the VA and regulatory agencies. Responsibilities DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. Major duties include but not limited to: Collects and processes blood and body fluid specimens, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patient and the quality of the specimen with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required re-sticks. Verifies that the proper tubes are used and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Labels all tubes with the patient's name, full social security number. date, time and thephlebotomist's initials and re-identifies patient using full name and SSN. Performs blood collection duties in a courteous manner. Makes the patient feel ascomfortable as possible. Explains what is about to happen and any necessaryprocesses required of the patient for specimen collection. Adheres to safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times whilecollecting samples. Assists in teaching laboratory and clinic personnel theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy, specimen collection and specimen requirements. Must be able to respond to, report and assist in emergency situations. Must knowCPR and first aid procedures for the care of patients who become sick, arrest orfaint while having blood drawn. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn to clinical or supervisory personnel. Functions as a resource person and troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing VistA order entry and results options. Prints out appointment lists for the lab clinics. Reviews orders in CPRS to ensurethat all necessary orders are drawn. Provides order numbers to technical staff fororders that need to be cancelled for various reasons, i,e. duplicate order, patientno longer on medication, etc. lnvestigates missing or incomplete patient laboratory orders. Contacts the nurseor provider involved to ensure missing or incomplete orders are placed orcorrected prior to the patient presenting for sample collection. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous testresults. Makes sound decisions independently, and takes appropriate action tocorrect and solve problems. Processes all specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. Requires knowledge of differing requirements for over 700 laboratory tests. This includes specialized procedures for infrequently ordered send-out tests. Incumbent is responsible for receiving and storage of Laboratory supplies. The incumbent operates and monitors commonly used equipment which includes instructing, positioning and preparing patients; the incumbent performs routine function tests in a clinic setting which includes operating, calibrating and maintaining commonly used instruments as described in the illustrations provided. Ability to work as a member of a team when performing procedures that require making rapid and accurate observations or adjustments to established practices. Effectively demonstrates responsible, flexible and self-directed work habits that promote efficient Veteran care and team functioning demonstrated by consistently arriving on time for shifts as recorded in attendance logs. Demonstrates flexibility in operational needs such as, schedule changes or additional duties as requested by supervisors. Maintain courteous and cooperative relationship with internal and external customers. Must have the ability to deal with people in a sensitive and diplomatic manner. The ability to handle differences of opinion in a professional manner. Required to listen to customer concerns and triages them appropriately. Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with I-CARE principles (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence), as assessed through peer and supervisory feedback. Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules. Comports professionally by exhibiting VA's core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I CARE). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, Travel may be required for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD10056A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work is performed in the community-based clinic with daily exposure to patients and materials carrying infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals. Proper precautions are practiced. The technician wears protective clothing such as lab coats and gloves when working with specimens. There is frequent contact with patients with undiagnosed illnesses. The employee has the potential to be exposed to communicable disease. 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. 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). Per 5 CFR 330.502, general restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies. 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 period 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, 07/31/2026. Individual Occupational Requirement : This series has the following Individual Occupational Requirement: Positions in this series range widely in @type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. OR, 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 directly related to the position. Specialized Experience GS-5: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Proficient in VistA and CPRS systems, including menus, procedures, equipment, and patient-care-related policies. Capable of recognizing, reporting, and assisting in emergencies, as well as observing and communicating physical or mental changes in patients. Knowledgeable in laboratory procedures, including test names/synonyms, specimen requirements, and proper processing and storage. Skilled in phlebotomy and specimen collection techniques, using Vacutainer systems, safety needles, syringes, butterfly needles, and capillary methods. Understands infection control and safety protocols, covering hand hygiene, exposure control, disaster procedures, and universal precautions. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 directly related to the position. 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 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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 qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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/.
