Medical Technician- Phlebotomist

Veterans Health Administration•Eglin AFB, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VA Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. The primary purpose is to collect and process specimens, accession samples, perform waived testing, and carry out other laboratory duties. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location. The position requires patient-facing specimen collection and laboratory support. The technician follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling; performs routine venipuncture; maintains specimen condition and appropriate handling; and educates patients on collection techniques. The technician also supports laboratory operations by maintaining supplies, responding to calls, coordinating information among the laboratory and care providers, and identifying unusual results or circumstances that may produce erroneous results. The technician must recognize and appropriately respond to adverse reactions during collection. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and may change based on facility needs. The position is subject to a one-year probationary period. Applicants tentatively selected for this designated drug-testing position must undergo urinalysis before appointment. Employees are required to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Requirements

Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
Experience performing phlebotomy or blood draws on human patients.
For GS-5 qualification, one of the following: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in appropriate subjects; or an equivalent combination of post-high-school education and specialized experience.
Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts with the application.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete required onboarding.
Must complete an online assessment as part of the application process.
Must undergo pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal or a verified positive result prevents appointment.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must serve a one-year probationary period.
Must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the Biloxi duty location.

Responsibilities

Follow procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling.
Perform routine venipuncture specimen collections from patients.
Collect specimens in the appropriate containers according to laboratory procedures.
Maintain the physical condition of samples and respond to time factors to preserve the specimen's physiologic state.
Educate patients on proper specimen collection techniques.
Prepare samples for testing, including labeling.
Maintain adequate supplies for phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures.
Answer laboratory service calls by providing accurate information or referring callers to technical personnel.
Act as a liaison among the laboratory, pathologists, physicians and other providers, and patients.
Identify unusual test results or discrepancies and conditions that may lead to erroneous results.
Identify and appropriately respond to adverse reactions such as fainting, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and cardiac arrest.
Perform other related duties as assigned.