Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Medical Technician (Mobile) in Sonora, California
Summary This position is located within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Sonora, CA. The Medical Technician - Mobile performs phlebotomy, specimen processing, and testing. Responsibilities 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 include: Uses drawing techniques ensuring that proper tubes are used, and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Verifies the patient as the individual denoted on the request and labels all tubes with the patient's name, social security number, date, and time to ensure proper identification following facility and VA guidelines. Performs the following special drawing procedures: collecting timed specimens, assisting in bone marrow collections, performing phlebotomy in negative pressure rooms while properly dressed in PPE gear as required. Provides instructions to patients prior to, during and after tests, making out schedules for a patient, as needed, to follow in order to obtain the correct blood specimens at the required time. Instructs patients in the proper collection of samples including sterile midstream urine collection, 24-hour urine collection, and collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, ova and parasites, 2hr pp, occult bloods, etc. Receives specimens for all testing into the laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request and contacts the appropriate clinic or unit personnel to correct discrepancies. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Prepares reagents, assembles equipment, and performs preventive maintenance and instrument function verifications within parameters defined in technical manuals. Answers incoming calls for Laboratory Services in a timely fashion and using proper telephone etiquette and customer service techniques. Responds to staffing shortages as assigned by a Lead Medical Laboratory Technician or by a supervisor by traveling to an assigned location and performing the Medical Technician job duties. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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: 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. -AND- 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- In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must fulfill one of the following qualifications: -Specialized Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. 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 Medical Technician - Mobile - Phlebotomy position. At this level, specialized experience includes 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 at least one-half (½) year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a Bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Medical Technician - Mobile such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) -OR- -Combination: Equivalent combinations of graduate level education and specialized experience (as described above) to meet the requirements at the GS-6 level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Analytical Reasoning Clerical Diagnostic Medical Testing Specimen Collection 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, lifting (less than 40 pounds), walking, stooping, and stretching. 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 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.