Summary The Medical Technician serves in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Veteran Health Administration, Department Veterans Affairs, Daytona Beach, FL. The position performs work in a clinical laboratory providing a range of technical functions to include blood-drawing procedures, assisting patients and specimen processing. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Duties include but may not be limited to: Provides assistance of a technical specialized or support nature to health and medical personnel in the diagnosis or treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions. Performs Diagnostic Test and Procedures: Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Adheres to safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood. (This includes such things as site preparation, removing tourniquets, wearing gloves and protective gowns, and following all isolation procedures while drawing patients. ) Performs standard diagnostic test or procedures such as venipunctures for collection of blood specimen, bleeding time and timed collections, according to written protocol or as directed by the physicians or other professional staff. Positions Patients for Procedures: Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Performs blood-drawing duties in a courteous manner. Makes the patient feel as comfortable as possible. Explains the procedures and positions patient for standard procedures. 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: Receives request for testing into the Laboratory. Functions as a resource person for VAMC personnel on specimen collection requirements and patient preparation for any lab request. Verifies the accuracy and completeness of request through the use of VISTA or CPRS computer systems. Interacts with hospital/clinical personnel to correct discrepancies. Receives samples for testing into the laboratory, labels specimens, centrifuges and processes samples and distributes them to the appropriate area (i.e. Chemistry, Hematology etc.). Verifies identifiers such as patient identification, time of sample, type of test requires. Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous test results. Receives/Direct Calls: Receives and relays incoming telephone calls and messages. Provides general or basic information. Maintenance Duties: Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment. Controls supplies and maintains and controls laboratory records. Maintains the blood drawing room, including the replacement of supplies as needed. Keeps the appropriate staff informs of any needed supplies in a timely manner and is responsible for ensuring no outdated supplies are left on the shelves. Support Duties: Supports the testing and examination procedures carried out in a medical laboratory by coordinating the general flow of specimens from the phlebotomy area to the individual sections to the laboratory. Picks up and transports specimens from other blood drawing areas to the main laboratory for processing and distribution. Ensures appropriate handling and timely delivery of specimens. * Certification in Phlebotomy is highly preferred* Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:00am-3:30pm; Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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 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." AND 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 to meet the requirements of this position. The English Language proficiency statement appears as a Selective Placement Factor on the Assessment Questionnaire. To qualify for this position at the GS-5 level, you must also meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-05: having one (1) year of specialized experience equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience include: experience that may have been gained in (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. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE GS-05: Successfully completed a four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position being filled. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION GS-05: having the equivalent combinations of creditable specialized experience and education as described in one (1) and two (2) above to meet the total experience requirements for the Medical Technician position. Combination of successfully completed post high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection 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 physical demands are primarily standing for long periods of time and walking, but also some bending, lifting, and carrying 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 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 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (407) 631-1000. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. 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/. 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.