Summary

This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Mann-Grandstaff VAMC Spokane. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of functions - including accession questions relative to specimens; instructs and assists patient; and sends out specimens for testing.

Qualifications

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. AND To qualify for this position at the GS-5 level - you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience - equivalent to at least the GS-4 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. At this level - specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests - examinations - and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. ~OR~ EDUCATION: 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. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience - as described above. Note: 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 1 year of specialized experience. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF 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 extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time - bending - standing - lifting - walking - stooping - repetitive motions - and stretching. The work requires duty on weekends - holidays - and nights when so assigned. This position is also considered high risk because of the constant exposure to blood and fluid products - sharps and chemicals - and patients in isolation rooms due to communicable disease. 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/.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities will include: Understanding and applying continuous process improvement throughout the laboratory Adhering to all universal precautions - infection control - and safety regulations associated with the laboratory
• Maintaining operational and quality control logs - records - and worksheets
• Maintaining supplies and organizes a timely flow of specimens for testing
• Selecting and using the appropriate equipment and materials for laboratory tests
• Preparing samples for testing to include labeling - centrifugation - decanting - aliquoting - etc
• Evaluating the suitability of specimens
• Identifying and documenting unusual test results or discrepancies/conditions that can lead to erroneous results
• Correlating quantitative data with patient data to verify results
• Performing additional tests to clarify or confirm results
• Maintaining cleaning and safety practices logs
• Performing clerical duties in support of a medical laboratory
• Receiving and answering phone calls to the laboratory
• Communicating testing issues with patient care teams
• Filing and retrieving laboratory test information
• Using a computer to enter or retrieve data from patient records
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday-Friday - 7:00am -3:30pm 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
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved