Summary

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - at the VA San Diego Healthcare System Administration for Nursing Service in the various Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) including Oceanside - Kearny Mesa - Sorrento Valley and Chula Vista. The primary purpose is to serve and function as an independent Health Technician - Phlebotomist - as there is no direct clinical supervisor on site.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). You must meet the following: Possess technician experience that requires application of knowledge - methods - and techniques of the position to be filled. (This position is part of the series that range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists - speech pathologists - medical officers - and optometrists.) In addition to meeting the IOR above - you must meet the experience/education as described below: GS-05 grade level: One (1) year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled - in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled such as providing skilled phlebotomy - quality assurance compliant specimen processing and testing functions - clinical patient support and general administrative support for all patient related activities in the satellite CBOC labs. Performs skilled venipuncture in accordance with facility and laboratory policies and procedures. Perform a wide variety of blood collection in a responsible nature requiring enhanced knowledge of clinical science to understand the multiplicity of tests and specimen requirements - the mechanics of venipuncture and patient preparation. Phlebotomy collection will be from a variety of outpatient veterans and employees. The employee will be expected to demonstrate versatility of skill in rapidly proceeding from one patient to another to perform multiple and simultaneous collections using accurate patient and specimen identification procedures. OR - Applicants may substitute education for the experience to qualify at the GS-05 level: Successfully completed one full year in a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. Training: Completion of appropriate training such as in service training programs - training acquired while serving in the Armed Forces - and government-sponsored developmental training programs will be allowed credit on a month-for-month basis - generally through the GS-5 level. Such training meets general or specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability. Such training meets general or specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability. OR - Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level: Have a combination of specialized experience and 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 l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-05.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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Performs skilled venipuncture in accordance with facility and laboratory policies and procedures
• Assures all test tubes are labeled accurately when performing venipuncture using facility and laboratory designated patient identifiers
• Verifies correct patient identification - performs proper specimen handling and labeling - accessions specimens - checks that lab test requests are consistent with physician orders - generates labels and sorts labeled specimens
• Performs a wide variety of blood collection in a responsible nature requiring enhanced knowledge of clinical science to understand the multiplicity of tests and specimen requirements - the mechanics of venipuncture and patient preparation
• Demonstrates versatility of skill in rapidly proceeding from one patient to another to perform multiple and simultaneous collections using accurate patient and specimen identification procedures
• Establishes minimum acceptable criteria for control/documentation protocol pertaining to test or examination procedures
• Accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the results and for the adequacy of the results in furthering the clinical objectives
• Works closely with facility and laboratory computers systems - CPRS and VistA to accession specimens and retrieve results
• Performs routine Electrocardiograms and ensure data uploading to electronic medical record (CPRS)
• Displays expertise with preparing lab equipment for all phlebotomy procedures - ensuring phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standard
• Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the appropriate Medical/Health Care Provider
• Maintains record of procedures performed in the phlebotomy area
• Provides orientation/training in performance of phlebotomy and test procedures with the information and experience required to understand underlying disease processes - and inform the physician if unable to obtain specimen
• Sets up equipment for all phlebotomy procedures - making sure that all phlebotomy and ancillary equipment is functioning to standard
• Maintains laboratory in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements
• Calibrates and maintains laboratory Instrumentation on timely intervals so as to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures
• Utilizes phone and face to face communication with all levels of clinical - clerical and administrative staff and our Veteran customers
• Incumbent must exhibit a professional attitude and technical competence
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with agency customers - co-workers - the general public and others who come in contact with the lab
• Obtains release forms as per policy and assists patients - visitors - and others requesting information
• Provides guidance or referral for special assistance
• Communicates and treats customers (Veterans - their representatives - visitors - and all VA staff) in a courteous - tactful and respectful manner
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8 hour shift between 6:30am to 6:00pm
• Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomist)/PD09972A