Medical Technician

Veterans Health Administration•Pittsburgh, PA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This Medical Technician position is located in the VAMC Pittsburgh Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The employee provides clinical and administrative support to a variety of Laboratory departments, including specimen collection, receipt, preparation, ordering, and shipping. 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 following procedures for patient identification, specimen collection, labeling, preparation, and handling; performing routine venipuncture and standard diagnostic tests; maintaining supplies; responding to laboratory phone inquiries; and cleaning and sterilizing reusable items. The employee must recognize and appropriately respond to adverse patient reactions. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends and holidays and rotating start times between 5:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized, and the Critical Skills Incentive is not approved. This is a designated drug-testing position. A one-year probationary period is required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
Experience performing phlebotomy or blood draws on human patients.
At least six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience related to the position; alternatively, applicants may qualify through specified education or a combination of education and experience.
Qualifying specialized experience includes technical medical laboratory support work performing laboratory tests and examinations and preparing findings reports, or technical support work in a closely related field.
If qualifying through education, meet one of the specified education pathways involving laboratory assistant or technician training, or relevant chemistry and/or biological science coursework; submit transcripts for education credit.
Submit a resume documenting job titles, duties, start and end dates by month and year, and hours worked per week.
Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and acceptable identification.
Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Complete a one-year probationary period.
Meet the physical requirements, including prolonged standing and walking and recurring bending, lifting, and positioning of patients.
Be flexible with work hours and shift assignments, including potentially working other tours or areas when asked.

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 account for time factors to preserve their physiologic state.
Educate patients on proper collection techniques.
Prepare samples for testing, including labeling, centrifugation, decanting, and aliquoting.
Maintain adequate supplies for phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures.
Answer laboratory service calls, provide accurate information, or refer callers to technical personnel.
Perform standard diagnostic tests and procedures, including bleeding time, occult blood, urine dipstick, pregnancy tests, and fingerstick glucose.
Sterilize items using an autoclave and 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.