This position serves as a Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System, Des Moines, IA. The technician performs phlebotomy in the emergency room, inpatient, outpatient, and extended care areas of the hospital and associated clinics. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/08/2022. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Selective Placement Factor: Applicants must meet the following selective placement factor to be considered for the position. Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. In addition to meeting the selective placement factor, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: reviewing and verifying the accuracy and completeness of laboratory tests requested; reporting abnormal findings to supervisor and assisting the supervisor in resolving problems encountered; following standardized procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of assigned tests and examinations; instructing patients on procedures to follow to collect specimens and avoid potential complications in the collection process. Specialized experience is further defined as performing 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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects related to the duties of the Medical Technician position. (Transcripts Required). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years above high school with courses related to the Medical Technician position. (Transcripts Required). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Patient CareQuality AssuranceSpecimen 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/Work Environment: The work requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand/eye coordination, some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, reaching, bending, and to stand for several consecutive hours during the collection, processing and testing of specimens. Work is performed at a fast pace. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Position requires occasional lifting of reagent/supply containers weighing up to 20 pounds. The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions. Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, lab coats, respirators, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk. The technician is regularly exposed to bio-hazardous material encountered in a clinical laboratory. This includes daily exposure to potentially infectious patients or materials, and occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals. The technician is required to take special precaution as prescribed by the Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Manual. Adherence to safety and Standard precautions and use of protective gear are mandatory to reduce occupational risk factors. There is frequent contact with patients with undiagnosed illnesses and the employee has the potential to be exposed to communicable disease. Employees are mandated to use appropriate personal protective equipment 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: Using proper patient identification and specimen labeling, the incumbent collects blood or urine specimens and ensures safe, nontraumatic processes are used to maintain patient safety and assure specimen quality. Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer system, syringe, butterfly or capillary finger sticks. Identifies tests that require special handling conditions and appropriately performs proper specimen collection. Initiates emergency care procedures in the event a patient has a reaction to blood collection procedures including fainting, hematoma, and anxiety. Maintains an adequate supply of phlebotomy supplies, and reports shortages to logistics staff or the supervisor for resolution. Adheres to laboratory safety polices and regulatory requirements including infection control policies such as hand hygiene, specimen transport, and patient isolation. Packages specimens for manual transport between clinic lab and the main laboratory and delivers specimens to the appropriate section of the laboratory as assigned. Prepares specimens for testing, performing such tasks as centrifugation, decanting, aliquotting, loading samples onto laboratory analyzers, or microbiology culture set-up, depending on tests ordered. Performs waived test procedures, verifies the accuracy of the results and reports results. Performs preventative maintenance, instrument troubleshooting, repair, and calibration for waived testing instrumentation as required. Operates the hospital and laboratory computer systems. Provides education to patients regarding the collection of blood samples and potential complications, collection of a routine urinalysis, 24 hour urine collection, and other collection requirements as needed. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday, weekends and holidays assigned\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD30220A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nBargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit position. 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."]