This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One 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 includes: 1) performing blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer system, syringe, butterfly, or capillary finger sticks with minimal number of failures, patient bruising or required repeat collection, ensuring samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with least possible delay. 2) label all blood tubes, instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures. 3) Process for correctly identifying patient information according to regulatory agencies. and 4) Performs all types of specimen collection in a courteous manner while providing for patient comfort. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. 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 directly related to the position. Transcripts required. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. A combination of successfully completed post-high school education AND specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-5 level. Transcripts required. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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. ["Process a wide variety of complex specimen collections. Receives route and store specimens noting labeling, contamination, hemolysis, shortage, or other errors in sampling, recognizing common environmental or other considerations. Reconcile and verify sample types and volumes with electronic orders and hard copy requisitions. Ensure samples have the correct UID (Universal Identification) accession number label as appropriate and that label is placed so bar codes are instrument ready. Ensure correct routing of clinical samples to laboratory sections, informing other staff of sample urgency as necessary. Select the correct method of resolution for problem samples and orders. May add, delete and cancel tests from existing orders as necessary and according to policy. Perform manual procedures as required during computer down times. Prepare samples, slides, smears, or other types of specimens (i.e., blood, urine, tissue) common to the laboratory. Verify and evaluate a variety of physician generated test orders for these specimens in VISTA, generates bar coded patient identification labels with laboratory testing accession numbers, affixes the labels to the correct specimens. Prepare and process a variety of specimen types, recognizing appropriate test requirements according to laboratory information guidelines for shipping and transport. Draw blood from patients for requested laboratory tests. Perform glucose Tolerance Tests, Bleeding Times and other specialized blood collections as indicated. Perform all types of specimen collection. Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions always. Resource and troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing VISTA order entry and results options. Review orders to ensure that all necessary orders are drawn. Investigate missing or incomplete patient laboratory orders. Assist with the development of technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing. Responsible for receiving and storage of Laboratory supplies. Audit records to ensure appropriate classification, quantity, catalog information, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00-4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/580-03708-A Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting, walking, stooping and stretching. The work requires manual dexterity and a large degree of concentration"]

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