Medical Technician - Phlebotomist

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incumbent performs specimen collection, processing, accessioning and waived testing.

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.

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.

To qualify for this position you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least One (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, the equipped you with the particular knowledge, skill, 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 a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations.

The 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.

~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full 4-year coarse 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.

(Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above.

Note: 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 l year of specialized experience. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application).

Physical Requirements: The work requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand/eye coordination, some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, bending, sitting over a microscope and concentrate for long periods of time while reading specimens and to stand for several consecutive hours during the preparation of specimens: In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job.

Position requires lifting of reagent containers weighing up to 35 pounds.

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/.

Major Duties:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties include but are not limited to: Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling; Performs routine 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, vomiting, convulsions, and arrests; and Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm, rotating weekends and holidays.

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.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved