Summary The incumbent serves as a Health Technician at the VA Portland Healthcare System. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities will include: Specimen collection and processing Responsible for timely and accurate collection, accessioning, processing and distribution of laboratory specimens. Processes specimens into the laboratory according to laboratory procedure. Identifies and accessions specimens by computer. Labels specimens according to laboratory policy. Prioritizes specimens by urgency and distributes each specimen to the appropriate pathology laboratory section for testing. Reference Laboratory Specimen Processing Responsible for storage and preparation of specimens for send-out testing. Prepares test requisitions for all send-out tests according to the reference lab's specifications. Ensures that results are returned for all tests sent out. Maintains filing system for send-out test order requisitions and results. Serves as contact person for referral laboratories. Gathers information for new or changed send-out tests. Informs laboratory information manager and section supervisor of any changes in send-out tests. Answers or directs routine inquiries from telephone calls or visitors. Communicates standard laboratory procedures and practices to Medical Center staff and resolves problems with specimens received by the laboratory according to P&LMS policy. Additional Activities Collects and processes biohazard waste for disposal. Collects and cleans glassware, plastics and other lab equipment according to washroom procedure. Distributes clean glassware to various laboratory locations. Monitors condition and supply of plastics and glassware. Performs quality control on laboratory dishwashing equipment. Provides teaching and guidance to other health technicians, students and volunteers. Provides assistance to other medical center staff concerning laboratory processes and procedures. Monitors inventory and replenishes laboratory supplies. Performs daily, weekly and monthly, maintenance on designated laboratory equipment. Monitors temperature on refrigerators, freezers, ovens, incubators and other designated laboratory equipment. Maintains filing systems for anatomic pathology reports, microscope slides, paraffin blocks and worksheets. Prepares laboratory records for archival storage. Prepares cytology smears and cell blocks. Maintains tissue storage cabinets and autopsy tissue storage in an organized manner. Preferred Experience: Ability to work in the morgue, act as an autopsy assistant - assist in performing autopsy by making the initial body incision, removing, weighing, and describing organs, opening the scull and removing the brain. Prepare body for the funeral home by replacing the organs and suturing the body and head cavities closed. Ability to collect and process human tissues as biohazard waste for disposal. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD213680 Physical Requirements: Requires walking, sitting, lifting up to 35 pounds, listening, speaking, intermittent bending, and long periods of standing. Must be able to move bodies in the morgue unassisted. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet Specialized Experience within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. In addition to meeting the English language proficiency, the below specialized experience and/or education must be met in order to qualify for this position. You may qualify based on your specialized education and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-05: 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 includes but not limited: Collects, processes and stores samples according to laboratory procedure. Answers or directs routine inquires from telephone calls or visitors. Monitors temperature on refrigerators, freezers, ovens, incubators and other designated laboratory equipment. Uses a computer to access data and communicate results to physicians. Uses proper infection control, laboratory safety, and universal precautions when collecting samples. Ability to communicate effectively. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond post high school education as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. For the GS-05, only education in excess of 60 semester hours (2 years) is creditable. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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. 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. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. 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.