Health Technician (Laboratory Assistant)

Full Job Description

The Health Technician is responsible for receiving and processing specimens including computerized accessioning, centrifugation, aliquoting, determining specimen acceptability, and delivery to the point of analysis or, if analysis is to be delayed, ensuring proper storage conditions are utilized to preserve specimen integrity.

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: Specimen Collection - Collect blood specimen, urine specimens and cultures following protocols; Computer Skills - Understands and utilizes information resource technology such as preparing documents; retrieving information, printing labels, and phone usage; Customer Service - Interacts with patients visitors, and staff in a helpful and respectful manner; Patient Care - Assess patients before, during, and after procedures; Quality Assurance - Adheres to universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations.

OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation.

OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond an Associate's degree.

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. Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: Specimen Receipt (50%) Provides customer relation services when receiving laboratory specimens from patients and other services within the VA North Texas Healthcare System.

Serves as a subject matter expert for other healthcare professionals on the collection and processing of all laboratory testing.

Reviews and accepts test request orders for samples submitted for testing. This includes accessioning samples into the laboratory.

Evaluates the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable.

Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Follows established protocol for handling of mislabeled/unlabeled specimens.

Separates and routes the specimen to the specific laboratory section that performs the ordered test. Receives packages delivered to the laboratory.

Specimen and Send-Out Processing (25%) Performs the processing of all clinical laboratory specimens and is responsible for the timely and proper distribution of specimens to the technical areas of the PLMS laboratory and the reference laboratories to assure specimen integrity.

Uses laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers, in addition to consumables such as transfer pipettes, laboratory pour-off tubes and reference laboratory specimen containers.

Communicates with the reference laboratories to research the requirements on new tests that are not identified in the reference laboratory directories.

Operates and performs periodic reviews on equipment including checking temperatures of laboratory refrigerators and freezers, etc.

Responsible for monitoring technical equipment, performing maintenance, and quality assurance on instrumentation (centrifuge).

Clerical Assignments (15%) Serves as key contact for Veterans and beneficiaries seeking Diagnostic services, experiencing problems, and/or requesting information.

Operate standard office equipment, such as multiline phone, copier, scanner, fax, page printers, label printers, etc. Answer and route telephone calls to the appropriate technical area of P&LMS.

Verifies patient information and tests ordered in the computer system. Prints patient order labels for sample collection and at leisure tests (urine, stool, 24-hour urine, etc.).

Answers basic technical laboratory questions or following up with appropriate section.

Venipuncture Collection (10%) Demonstrates knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices of phlebotomy, hemostasis, and requirement of blood collection for the various tests performed in the laboratory.

Obtains timely and appropriate blood samples as ordered per PLMS policies and procedures for both inpatient and outpatient orders.

Must understand isolation precautions and the proper personal protective equipment necessary to perform phlebotomy procedures.

Identifies tests that require special handling conditions and appropriately performs proper specimen collection.

Initiates emergency care procedures in the event a patient has reaction to blood collection procedures including fainting, hematoma, and anxiety.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Rotating Weekends and Holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Laboratory Assistant)/PD00802A Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a laboratory atmosphere and requires regular physical exertion such as walking, bending, recurrent standing and moderate lifting.

The work requires specific physical characteristics, abilities, and dexterity to perform intricate and technical procedures.

Entering patient information, test orders, and data in a computer may result in physical problems from the effects of repetitive motion and eyestrain.

The position may also require assisting geriatric and/or disabled patients. The incumbent must have normal color vision.