Medical Technician – Phlebotomy Job at VA Central Iowa Health Care System (DOVA)

Overview

This position is located in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, IA. The technician performs phlebotomy in the emergency room, inpatient, outpatient, and extended care areas of the hospital and associated clinics. Incumbent also performs a variety of computer, customer service, instruction, and communication tasks.

Major duties and responsibilities

• Performs blood collection using venipunctures, arterial punctures and capillary finger sticks with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required repeat collection, ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay.
• Demonstrates skills and knowledge in various specimen procurement and the preservation of the specimen until testing can be performed.
• Follows standard operating procedures for guidance in specimen collection.
• Ability to make independent decisions on specimen procurement problems.
• 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 phlebotomy supplies, and reports shortages to logistics staff or the supervisor for resolution.
• Assists patients with laboratory check-in, obtains required pre-analytical information from patients, and provides patient-entered care and excellent customer service to patients, visitors, and other members of the health care team.
• Communicates missing, erroneous, or duplicate orders to the appropriate health care staff for follow-up action.
• Answers clinic laboratory phone, addresses inquiries, and forwards calls to the main lab when appropriate.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, weekends and holidays as assigned, 5:30 am – 2:00 pm

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

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.

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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and suitability will be evaluated.

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Selective Placement Factor: Must possess experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

General and Specialized Experience: Six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience in technical medical laboratory support or closely related fields. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application.

OR Substitution of Education for Experience: See original content for eligible education substitutions. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: Eligible combinations may be used to meet total qualification requirements for GS-4. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Patient Care
• Specimen Collection

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Additional information

Note: Per Executive Order 14251, this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center

Phone: (844)456-5208

Email: VHANationalRecruitmentCenter@va.gov

Address: VA Central Iowa Health Care System, 3600 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310, US

Next steps

After submitting your online application, you will receive a confirmation by email. Applications will be reviewed per Category Rating procedures. Referred applicants will be notified of status by email and may be contacted by the hiring office for an interview.

You may check your application status at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account.

Note: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment for all HCP. Wearing a mask may be required in certain circumstances.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and hours worked.