Summary The Pathology and Laboratory Service at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Outpatient Clinic in Jacksonville, FL is recruiting Medical Technicians. The Medical Technician performs work in a clinical laboratory providing a range of diagnostic functions to include blood-drawing procedures, assisting patients and specimen collection. The incumbent also supports medical and health care professionals in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Responsibilities The Medical Technician performs work in a clinical laboratory providing a range of diagnostic functions to include blood-drawing procedures, assisting patients and specimen collection. The incumbent also supports medical and health care professionals in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Duties include but are not limited to: Verifies identifiers such as patient identification, time of sample, type of test requested, etc. Receives samples for testing in the laboratory, labels specimens, centrifuges samples and distributes them to the appropriated area (i.e., Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, etc.). Positions patients for procedures. Adheres to safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood. Instructs patients in the proper midstream urine collection, 24-hour urine collection, collections of specimens for culture and sensitivity. Maintains control records and documents test results. Picks up and transports specimens from other blood drawing areas to the main laboratory for processing and distribution. Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment, controls supplies and maintains and controls laboratory records. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30am to 3:00pm. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD04163A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/26/2024. 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. Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience: For positions at GS-4 and above: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or, (b) Technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled .OR Education and Training: For GS-5: 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. In addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency and the Individual Occupational Requirement, applicants must also meet the specialized experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: Carefully read the following descriptions of the required specialized experience for the position. Your resume must support your response. Applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal service that has 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 includes: Collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures such as venipuncture according to written procedure or directed by the physician or other professional staff. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of requests through the use of computer systems. Following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. Interacts with hospital/clinical staff to correct discrepancies. Receives and relays incoming telephone calls and messages; receives verbal requests for additional tests and verifies specimen availability and accuracy of request. OR Substitution of Education for Experience (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): Successfully 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. Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. OR Combination of Education and Experience (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above. 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 one (1) year of specialized experience. Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Interpersonal Effectiveness Specimen Collection Technical Competence Note: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to the specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received that copied verbatim from the announcement will be evaluated and may be reviewed as falsifying your experience or 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. Physical Requirements: The physical demands are primarily standing and walking, but also some bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. 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 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.