at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is located within the Main Laboratory of the Patient Services of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois with primary responsibility of performing phlebotomy duties. Responsibilities *THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION* Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling; Performs venipuncture specimen collections from patients; Follows laboratory procedures for collecting specimens in the appropriate container; Controls the physical condition of samples and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained; Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques; Prepares samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, decanting and aliquoting, etc. Maintains adequate supplies for all phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures; Answers incoming calls for the laboratory service – finding and relaying accurate information or referring the caller to technical personnel; Performs standard diagnostic tests/procedures such as bleeding time, occult blood, urine dipstick, pregnancy test, fingerstick glucose; Performs sterilization on the autoclave, and cleans glassware and other reusable items; Identifies and appropriately responds to adverse reactions such as fainting, nausea, convulsions, and arrests; Trains new hires, students and current employees; Perform other related duties as assigned. 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: Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm (multiple shifts available to include 8:30am – 5:00pm and variable start time float; Weekend and holiday rotation is required. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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 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. AND To qualify for this position, all applicants must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal service that has 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, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing standardized tests, examinations, and determinations (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. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position. Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR EDUCATION: 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 appropriate to the position to be filled. Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above. 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 one (1) year of specialized experience. Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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. 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 Quality Assurance Specimen Collection 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 regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, stand