Summary This position is located within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Line at the VA Medical Center Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Stockton, CA. The Medical Technician - Mobile - Phlebotomy performs phlebotomy, specimen processing, and testing and is expected to provide coverage at other sites as needed. Responsibilities ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The major duties include but are not limited to: Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling; Performs venipuncture specimen collections from patients; Performs special drawing procedures, to include collecting timed specimens, assisting in bone marrow collections, and performing phlebotomy in negative pressure rooms while properly dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) gear as required; 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; Functions as a resource person and troubleshooter for clinic personnel in executing order entry options and collection requirements; Identifies and appropriately responds to adverse reactions such as fainting, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and arrests; Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment; Performs preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers; Assists in teaching laboratory and medical center personnel theoretical and practical aspects of phlebotomy, specimen collection and processing, specimen requirements for acceptance or rejection; Trains new laboratory staff on how to perform testing, quality control, maintenance, and proficiency requirements; Responds to staffing shortages as assigned, traveling to assigned locations; and, Performs other related duties as assigned. NOTE: Basic Life Support training is required for this position and will be provided and must be completed within six (6) months after start of employment and must be kept current thereafter. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. 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 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) 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 English Language Proficiency Requirement: 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 perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ 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." ~AND~ In addition to the English Language Proficiency and Selective Place Factor, to qualify for this position at the GS-6 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Medical Technician - Mobile - Phlebotomy, 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 Medical Technician - Mobile - Phlebotomy position. At this level, specialized experience includes 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. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates, AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed at least one-half year (½) of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a Bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Medical Technician - Mobile - Phlebotomy such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Medical Technician - Mobile - Phlebotomy position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: TECHNICAL COMPETENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL TESTING ANALYTICAL REASONING CLERICAL SPECIMEN COLLECTION IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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; religious; 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 Requirements: The work of the position requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting (less than 40 pounds), walking, stooping, and stretching. The work is performed in an adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated clinical laboratory at the Laboratory and/or at another Community Based Outpatient Clinic site. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory, e.g., working with infectious substances, contagious diseases, and chemical agents. The person in the position wears protective clothing such as lab coats, gloves, and goggles. 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/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. 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. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.