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The Medical Laboratory Aid/Technician (Phlebotomy) serves in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The technician performs phlebotomy in the inpatient, outpatient, and extended care areas of the hospital. The technician also performs a variety of computer, customer service, specimen processing, instruction, and communication tasks. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/29/2023. 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. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-3 (developmental level): General Experience: You must have six months of general experience, which is: (l) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of (a) a full-time training course of approximately a year's duration in a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school that included instruction in chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology (including serology) and that, in addition, included supervised laboratory practice incident to the diagnostic process and the treatment of patients; or (b) 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or biological science. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) GS-4 (full performance level): Specialized Experience: At least six (6) months of general experience, and six (6) months of specialized experience 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. General Experience is: (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. 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. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. OR Education: Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of (a) a full-time training course of approximately a year's duration in a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school that included instruction in chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology (including serology) and that, in addition, included supervised laboratory practice incident to the diagnostic process and the treatment of patients; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and experience, as described above. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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/. ["This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Cut-off for applications will occur every 2 weeks beginning August 18, 2023 and qualified applicants will be referred every two weeks until the position is filled. This announcement may be extended if necessary. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Specimen collection 50% Collect blood or urine specimens and ensure safe, non-traumatic processes are used to maintain patient safety and assure specimen quality. Perform blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer system, syringe, butterfly or capillary finger sticks with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required repeat collection, ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. Collect specimens in various locations, including patient hospital rooms, extended care rooms, and outpatient clinics. Make independent decisions and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. Follow standard operating procedures for guidance in specimen collection in a fast paced environment. Identify tests that require special handling conditions and appropriately perform proper specimen collection, using proper medical terminology for laboratory testing. Specimen processing, testing, and computer duties 25% Operate tube system to transport specimens to the main laboratory, using proper packaging. Prioritize STAT, ASAP, and routine specimen collection, processing, testing, and result entry. Locate and review patient orders through a variety of computer systems and programs (VISTA, CPRS, HOWDY, LABA). Troubleshoot missing or duplicate orders and other functions related to laboratory processes. Clarify orders with ordering provider when necessary for accurate testing. Communication, clerical, and administrative duties 25% Provide education to patients regarding collection, potential complications, what tests were ordered, and reasons for blood collection to help the provider assess their disease status. Assist patients with laboratory check-in (HOWDY), obtain patient information, and provide excellent customer service to patients, visitors, and other members of the health care team. Answer clinic laboratory phone, address inquiries, and forward calls to main laboratory when appropriate. Protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive date in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Perform other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, daytime hours, no weekends or holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Laboratory Aid/Technician/PD60479A, PD60535A, and PD60479A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for eligible candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."]

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