Summary This position is located at various VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in the Veteran Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System (VA PIHCS) catchment area. You will serve as a Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) and the primary purpose of the position is to be competent and proficient in phlebotomy, specimen processing, shipment of biological specimen, point of care testing, and other laboratory responsibilities. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION NOTE: This announcement has been extended to close on October 11, 2024. Applicant(s) who previously applied, do not need to re-apply. The Medical Technician performs both routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology in support of a medical laboratory. Major duties and responsibilities will include: Using microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, and instruments to perform laboratory tests and analyze body fluids and other substances to determine the presence or absence of disease or other abnormal conditions; Receiving, collecting, sorting, recording, storing and/or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing/diagnostic procedures can be performed; Obtaining additional data or information from healthcare providers as needed; Maintaining the laboratory and equipment in a clean and safe condition; Calibrating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation and equipment; Monitoring specimens, equipment, and laboratory for acceptability; Ensuring that sufficient supply of reagents, standards, and controls, are available at all times; and preparing reagents, controls, etc.; Recommending changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accurately, and safety; Establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintaining appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules; Assisting in training personnel and/or students in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety; Functioning as a point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to the supervisory to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies; Accepting/documenting incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system; Processing specimens and selecting appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimens, patient information, and laboratory resources; Reporting all specimen problems according to established guidelines; Performing a variety of laboratory tests, both new and established that involve very fine distinctions in analytical methods; Entering test results into hospital computer system, verifying the accuracy, completeness, and validity; Evaluating the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures; Correlating and integrating information and performing additional testing to confirm abnormal results as per policies and procedures; Participating in quality assurance activities; Performing related duties as required. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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 at the GS-6 level, you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-5 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: (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: Successful completion of at least one-half year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) OR COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Medical Technician position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts are required. AND 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Analytical Reasoning Clerical Diagnostic Medical Testing Technical Competence 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 some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 40 pounds. In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or good color vision. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions. Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear. Work areas 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 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information 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.