Duties

Provides assistance of a technical, specialized, or support nature to health and medical personnel in the diagnosis or treatment of patient illnesses or medical conditions. The incumbent insures positive specimen identification and maintains compliance for processing all specimens received in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALM). The incumbent verifies patient information and accepts ordered tests in the computer system, generating bar-coded labels, organizing workflow, and insuring patient orders are processed appropriately. The incumbent is expected to be able to perform the following tasks: Perform work in clinical laboratory where the majority of the work is in support of patient diagnosis and /or treatment. Performs work, and applies practical knowledge where needed, involving routine and stat tests for processing. Using the techniques of medical laboratory practices in the Client Services and special send out/biohazard material sections. Implements and follow proper protocols in receiving/collection, sorting, recording, storing and /or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing /diagnosis procedure can be performed. In addition, additional data or information form healthcare provider may have to be obtained as required. The incumbent will receive collected and delivered blood samples, body fluids and other biological specimens according to documented James J Peters VAMC Pathology and Laboratory and CAP guidelines and protocols. 1 Provides customer service and support to all patients, physicians and health care providers arriving in the laboratory for collection, preparation and processing of specimens for diagnostics testing. Cleaning, disinfection, and organization of work areas, including restocking the accession area, collection areas and areas where specimens are received, processed, referred and stored.

Provides clerical and administrative support to the service. Maintains records and statistical data for reference purposes when necessary. Provides action to all laboratory consults on orders requested by the ordering providers. Rectifies and administratively approves all consults (Lab add-ons, test not found in CPRS request, etc.) when completed. Organizes and labels samples with barcoding information. Process specimens as described in PALM manual including automated LEDI and Vista potions by ward order entry and multi-purpose accessioning. 2 Issuance of materials and supplies needed by other Services necessary to ensure appropriate sample collections are made (e.g. Polymedco iFOBT collection kits, Quantiferon collection kits, other B-D blood vacutainers, 24 hrs. urine collection containers, send out testing)). Distribution of clinical laboratory reports/results during periods of computer downtime. Preparation of samples for send-out testing to other V.A. laboratories and reference laboratories.

Maintenance and documentation of centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, eyewashes, and safety shower in the laboratory. The incumbent will receive and process send out specimens according to the reference laboratory specimen requirements. The incumbent will file, organize and verify all reference report through the automated and manual method. Maintain laboratory records. Documents and communicates all specimen issues as required, such as insufficient patient's I.D. demographics, unacceptable specimens, rejected specimens, etc. The incumbent operates appropriate lab equipment (centrifuges, refrigerator, freezer and any pre-analytical instruments) to spin, separate, aliquot, sort, save and store specimens. The incumbent will print out pending list: incomplete/load list for send out test. The incumbent will document and communicate all specimen issues, such as labeling or ordering errors, to the accessioning/shipping section supervisor for corrective action. Maintains professional currency through formal and informal education and professional training through TMS (Talent Management System), MTS (Med training) and Medial Lab.


Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, rotating weekends.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/55804-A
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting and carrying of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. The work requires the handling of moderately heavy contaminated waste up to 40 lbs. The incumbent will utilize all safety practices and equipment required by accrediting and regulatory agencies for purposes of ensuring compliance with occupational safety observance.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Documents Accepted:
  

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

  
  Documents Required:
  

  • Resume

  
  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
  
  Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
  
  Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/22/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11966091.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  
  

  Agency contact information

  Keisha Smith

  Phone

  520-339-8112

  Email

  Keisha.Smith@va.gov

  Address

  Bronx VA Medical Center
  130 West Kingsbridge Rd.
  Bronx, NY 10468
  US

  Next steps

  After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (COVID-19 - VA 002) in-accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3) and 5 CFR 337.205(b)(1)-(4).