Medical Technician - Phlebotomist - Recruitment Incentive Authorized
About The Position
The Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) works in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Iowa City VA Health Care System in Iowa City, Iowa. The technician performs phlebotomy in the hospital’s outpatient care area and also carries out computer, customer service, instruction, and communication tasks. A recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants. The role supports specimen collection and preparation, patient education, laboratory communications, and supply and equipment upkeep. It is not a virtual position. The work is performed at a fast pace and involves regular contact with patients and potentially infectious or hazardous materials, with required adherence to laboratory safety procedures and use of personal protective equipment. The position’s schedule is Monday through Friday, either 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The VA describes its care model as a Whole Health System focused on personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to the Veteran’s community.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
- Experience performing phlebotomy, including venipuncture and capillary blood collection, on human patients in a clinical or healthcare setting.
- At least 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience in relevant technical medical laboratory support or closely related work, or qualifying education, or a combination of education and experience.
- Applicants qualifying through experience must have experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work or familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the occupation; specialized experience includes technical medical laboratory support or closely related technical support work.
- Applicants qualifying through education must meet one of the stated education pathways: qualifying associate-level laboratory assistant training; specified coursework plus a full-time medical or clinical laboratory assistant/technician training course; or two years of study including at least 12 semester hours in directly related chemistry and/or biological science coursework.
- Transcripts must be submitted if education is used to meet all or part of the qualification requirements.
- Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment.
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
- Employees must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
- The selected applicant must complete a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period.
- The work requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand-eye coordination; regular walking, reaching, and bending; standing for several consecutive hours; and occasional lifting of reagent or supply containers weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Employees must follow laboratory safety and chemical hygiene procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
Responsibilities
- Follow procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling.
- Perform routine venipuncture specimen collections from patients.
- Collect specimens in appropriate containers in accordance with laboratory procedures.
- Control sample physical conditions and respond to time factors to maintain the specimen’s physiologic state.
- Educate patients on proper specimen collection techniques.
- Prepare samples for testing, including labeling, centrifugation, decanting, and aliquoting.
- Maintain adequate supplies for phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures.
- Answer incoming laboratory service calls by finding and relaying accurate information or referring callers to technical personnel.
- Clean glassware and other reusable items.
- Identify and appropriately respond to adverse reactions, including fainting, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and cardiac arrest.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Benefits
- A recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
- Federal employee benefits are available, with eligibility depending on position type; the announcement does not specify particular benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
