Summary Health Technician is in the clinical laboratory of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Will receive and process 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 to preserve specimen integrity. This is an open continuous announcement. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as positions become open. Responsibilities The Duties of the Health Technician - Send-Outs/Processing are not limited to the following: Processes samples as required for reference laboratory testing. Prepares shipping manifest as required for reference laboratory testing. Packages specimens in accordance with all applicable policies, procedures, and regulations. The incumbent must be knowledgeable about the specimen requirements for each test and the ordering procedures for each reference laboratory. The incumbent identifies unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous test results. The incumbent makes sound decisions independently and takes appropriate action to correct and solve problems pertaining to reference laboratory tests. He/she serves as a reference for other healthcare professionals on the collection and processing of reference laboratory testing. Contacts reference laboratory as necessary to inquire about specimen suitability, testing status, or results. Researches the availability of unusual testing. Orders appropriate supplies and materials as necessary for reference laboratory testing, packaging, and shipping. Responsible for order testing in the computer system provided by the major commercial reference laboratory and preparing any hard copy requisitions required by other reference laboratories. The incumbent processes all reference laboratory specimens according to strict guidelines to assure specimen integrity. This requires knowledge of differing requirements for hundreds of laboratory tests, including specialized procedures for infrequently ordered tests. In the processing of samples, the individual uses laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, refrigerators and freezers in addition to consumables such as transfer pipettes, aliquot tubes, and other specimen containers. The incumbent must ensure the equipment is in good working order before use. On occasion, the individual is required to measure the volume of a specimen or adjust the pH of a specimen prior to sending the test to the reference laboratory. This requires the knowledge to package specimens with various temperature requirements and meet the federal guidelines for shipping diagnostics specimens and hazardous materials. The incumbent is required to maintain a record of all specimens submitted to the reference laboratories by printing accessioning forms and shipping manifests. Operates all equipment including, but not limited to automation line, centrifuges, pneumatic tube system, dumbwaiter, testing instrumentation as designed and according to all applicable policies and procedures. May perform waived and/or moderately-complex testing as needed by the service. Incumbent will accept incoming calls, answer questions, and provide information as able, and field and direct calls to the appropriate subspecialty laboratory area when necessary. Provides information, guidance, and technical advice on test ordering, specimen collection and submission to clinical staff. Work Schedule: Negotiable Upon Selection - 10 hour shifts available. Full Time - Days, Evenings, & Nights; Rotating Weekends/Holidays. Hours TBD. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD92190A and PD92714A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS 5 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 (entry level) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to the: Knowledge of laboratory procedures and terminology for all disciplines of the laboratory. Knowledge of regulatory and laboratory accreditation agency requirements surrounding laboratory specimen receipt, processing and handling, in addition to various testing requirements. Knowledge of general laboratory policies and procedures such that the incumbent is able to communicate requirements to and answer questions from patients and clinical staff. OR, Education: 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 of Specialized Experience and Education. GS 6 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 (developmental) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to the: Knowledge of laboratory procedures and terminology for all disciplines of the laboratory. Knowledge of regulatory and laboratory accreditation agency requirements surrounding laboratory specimen receipt, processing and handling, in addition to various testing requirements. Knowledge of general laboratory policies and procedures such that the incumbent is able to communicate requirements to and answer questions from patients and clinical staff. There is no educational substitute for the GS6 grade level. The Full performance level is GS6; candidates may be selected from GS5 or GS6 grade levels. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. 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/. 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. Physical Demands The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform specimen processing as well as walking between different areas within the laboratory. The work involves utilizing a computer, visual acuity, and manual dexterity and the use of both hands. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. During the application process, you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.