Summary The position is located in the VAMC Pittsburgh Laboratory. The incumbent is an integral part of the team, and many times is the initial contact for the Laboratory customers. They provide clinical and administrative support to a wide variety of departments in the Laboratory. The position reports to the Supervisor of Phlebotomy/Processing. Responsibilities Typical duties include, but are not limited to the following: Performs venipuncture and capillary collections on both inpatients and outpatients on a routine or STAT basis to obtain blood samples for testing. Explains the procedures of venipuncture to the patient. Accurately labels specimens according to policy, delivers samples to the lab for testing, and adheres to safety, infection control and standard precautions while drawing blood samples. Provides initial aid when a patient has a reaction to a venipuncture procedure and activates a condition when serious or emergency conditions exist. Explains procedure and provides collection container to patients for collection of other lab specimens including but not limited to; random, clean catch, and 24-hour urine samples, stool samples, sputum samples, salivary cortisol. Reviews and receives orders, sorts and prioritizes samples collected outside the laboratory. Evaluates specimens for suitability and acceptability and labels according to facility policy. Monitors supply inventory, rotates stock, and minimizes outdating. Responsible for determining that no outdated collection containers, tubes, etc., are in work area or in use. Captures laboratory collection data and handles patient and healthcare workers inquiries surrounding laboratory orders and sample collection. Actively participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations. Work Schedule: Multiple Schedules (may start as early as 5:00am and end as late as 5:00pm). Weekend, Holiday, and on-call rotation. Full-time and part-time (24 hrs/wk) available; you will be prompted to select upon application. May be required to cover shift at Monroeville VA Clinic as well as University Drive Campus. WORK SCHEDULES WILL BE DISCUSSED UPON INTERVIEW FOR CLARIFICATION Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician - Phlebotomist/PD02667-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/30/2024. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized and General Experience: Six months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-3 level) that demonstrates technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings. AND Six months of general experience that includes any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. The total amount of experience must equal a FULL YEAR. 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 the training course in the area of (chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology including serology); 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 You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Specimen Collection Attention to Detail Customer Service Computer Skills Quality Assurance 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: Requires flexibility with hours of work and shift tour of duty. May work other tours if asked to work in other areas and does not affect primary work schedule. The work involves long periods of standing and walking with regular recurring bending, lifting, and positioning patients. It also involves computer, keyboard, and telephone work. 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 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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.