The incumbent is a staff Medical Technician serving in the specimen processing section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Chattanooga Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), Chattanooga TN. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/05/2024.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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. (This experience must be documented in your resume.) ~AND~ 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. In addition to the requirements listed above, the following is also required to qualify for this position at the GS-5 level. 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. 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 l year of specialized experience. (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: The work requires manual dexterity and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, reaching for supplies and lifting (up to 15lbs.) The work may involve regular and recurring risks and discomforts associated with work in a Clinical laboratory e.g. working with infectious material, irritant, noxious, flammable, carcinogenic reagents, and low level radioactive materials). For this reason, the technologist must take special safety precautions such as wearing protective clothing and masks and working with fume and Biological safety Hoods as directed by policy or by the Supervisor. 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 include varied responsibilities in the Specimen Processing / Reference testing section but also may involve similar duties in other sections such as Urinalysis, Microbiology, and Chemistry as needed or directed. Major Duties include: Phlebotomy- Performs phlebotomy as required / directed, (usually limited to medical center employees) following established procedures for identification / collection / labeling / processing. - Has knowledge of and ability to collect samples appropriate for the tests requested by the physician using the correct preservatives, anticoagulants, collection intervals and /or times, and patient condition (s). - Ensures specimen integrity for testing by placing the specimen on ice, protecting the specimen from light, etc. as may be required. - Practices universal precautions including appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing phlebotomies and handling specimens. Quality Control - Adheres to established quality control guidelines as mandated by the College of American Pathologists and as outlined in the appropriate procedure manuals / policies / memoranda. - Operates equipment including performance / maintaining records of quality control and limited maintenance on lab equipment such as centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, electronic devices. - Monitors and maintains supply records to include ordering, tracking, receipt, and expiration dates. 1 3. 4. Receiving/Accessioning - Initiates the receipt of specimens into the laboratory computer system (VISTA) utilizing ward order entry or multipurpose accessioning. - Itemizes individual patient samples collected by clinical staff. Specimen Processing - Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, insuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Assigns priority to test requests and executes them expeditiously for use in critical care situations. - Accomplishes all phases of processing and dispatch to include delivery of samples to their respective sections. - Transfers specimens to appropriate storage and/or transport media. - Performs assigned analytical tests or procedures that require limited independent judgment and recognizes factors that affect measurements and results and takes appropriate action according to predetermined protocols. - Measures 24 hour urine's total volume, prepares samples / aliquots for appropriate in-house labs and outside reference labs. Reference Testing- Processes / prepares samples for reference testing.- Performs computer functions relative to reference testing including requesting special tests, generating work-lists, and data entry of results. - Processes meticulous legal documentation and technically sensitive packaging with supportive information of quality controls for drug screens. - Follows proper shipping procedure under TVHS-Nashville campus, IATA, FEDEX, Department of Transportation and other regulatory transportation agencies rules / regulations. - Communicates normal ranges, test results, panic values, test costs, availability and turn around time to requesting clinicians. 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. Work Schedule: 7:30am-400pm Monday-Friday. Position Description/PD#: MedicalTechnician-Specimen Processing/PD06501A and PD06501ARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized"]

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