Health Technician (Phlebotomy)

Summary

This position is located in the Nursing - Ambulatory Care Service at the Missoula - MT OPC Laboratory. The incumbent performs a variety of functions - including: Accessioning specimens into the computer system; collecting - evaluating and processing patient specimens; answering questions related to sample co lection; instructing and assisting patients and sending out specimens for testing. Follows policies and procedures established by the service - medical center - the VA and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/31/2026. Individual Occupational Requirement : This series has the following Individual Occupational Requirement: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists - speech pathologists - medical officers - and optometrists. Therefore - technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge - methods - and techniques of the position to be filled. OR - 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. Specialized Experience GS-5: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Proficient in VistA and CPRS systems - including menus - procedures - equipment - and patient-care-related policies. Capable of recognizing - reporting - and assisting in emergencies - as well as observing and communicating physical or mental changes in patients. Knowledgeable in laboratory procedures - including test names/synonyms - specimen requirements - and proper processing and storage. Skilled in phlebotomy and specimen collection techniques - using Vacutainer systems - safety needles - syringes - butterfly needles - and capillary methods. Understands infection control and safety protocols - covering hand hygiene - exposure control - disaster procedures - and universal precautions. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 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. 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

• DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation
• Major duties include but not limited to: Collects and processes blood and body fluid specimens - ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patient and the quality of the specimen with a minimal number of failures - patient bruising - or required re-sticks
• Verifies that the proper tubes are used and the correct amount of blood is drawn
• Labels all tubes with the patient's name - full social security number
• date - time and thephlebotomist's initials and re-identifies patient using full name and SSN
• Performs blood collection duties in a courteous manner
• Makes the patient feel ascomfortable as possible
• Explains what is about to happen and any necessaryprocesses required of the patient for specimen collection
• Adheres to safety - infection control and universal precautions at all times whilecollecting samples
• Assists in teaching laboratory and clinic personnel theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy - specimen collection and specimen requirements
• Must be able to respond to - report and assist in emergency situations
• Must knowCPR and first aid procedures for the care of patients who become sick - arrest orfaint while having blood drawn
• Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn to clinical or supervisory personnel
• Functions as a resource person and troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing VistA order entry and results options
• Prints out appointment lists for the lab clinics
• Reviews orders in CPRS to ensurethat all necessary orders are drawn
• Provides order numbers to technical staff fororders that need to be cancelled for various reasons - i -e
• duplicate order - patientno longer on medication - etc
• lnvestigates missing or incomplete patient laboratory orders
• Contacts the nurseor provider involved to ensure missing or incomplete orders are placed orcorrected prior to the patient presenting for sample collection
• Identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies which may cause erroneous testresults
• Makes sound decisions independently - and takes appropriate action tocorrect and solve problems
• Processes all specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity
• Requires knowledge of differing requirements for over 700 laboratory tests
• This includes specialized procedures for infrequently ordered send-out tests
• Incumbent is responsible for receiving and storage of Laboratory supplies
• The incumbent operates and monitors commonly used equipment which includes instructing - positioning and preparing patients
• the incumbent performs routine function tests in a clinic setting which includes operating - calibrating and maintaining commonly used instruments as described in the illustrations provided
• Ability to work as a member of a team when performing procedures that require making rapid and accurate observations or adjustments to established practices
• Effectively demonstrates responsible - flexible and self-directed work habits that promote efficient Veteran care and team functioning demonstrated by consistently arriving on time for shifts as recorded in attendance logs
• Demonstrates flexibility in operational needs such as - schedule changes or additional duties as requested by supervisors
• Maintain courteous and cooperative relationship with internal and external customers
• Must have the ability to deal with people in a sensitive and diplomatic manner
• The ability to handle differences of opinion in a professional manner
• Required to listen to customer concerns and triages them appropriately
• Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with I-CARE principles (Integrity - Commitment - Advocacy - Respect - Excellence) - as assessed through peer and supervisory feedback
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable - high-quality - timely and cost-effective results
• Determines objectives - sets priorities - and delegates work
• Accepts responsibility for mistakes
• Complies with established control systems and rules
• Comports professionally by exhibiting VA's core values of Integrity - Commitment - Advocacy - Respect - and Excellence (I CARE)
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm - Travel may be required for this position
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD10056A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work is performed in the community-based clinic with daily exposure to patients and materials carrying infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals
• Proper precautions are practiced
• The technician wears protective clothing such as lab coats and gloves when working with specimens
• There is frequent contact with patients with undiagnosed illnesses
• The employee has the potential to be exposed to communicable disease.