Medical Technician

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/25/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment. For this vacancy, employees under the GS pay system must have held a GS-3 or higher position in the last 52 weeks to be eligible for the GS-5 grade level. If you have not held a GS grade at any time in the past 52 weeks, or are a Wage Grade employee, this requirement does not apply to you. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. English Language Proficiency: 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 meet the requirements of this position. Selective Placement Factor (SPF): The SPF is a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF is experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can’t be waived. Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): (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 position to be filled. OR 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 appropriate to the position to be filled. In addition to the qualifications listed above, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of biology, human anatomy, patient relations and general medical laboratory functions; proper use of personal protective equipment during specimen collection and processing; order and procurement procedures to ensure an accurate inventory of supplies is received, maintained and stocked correctly; skilled in oral communication methods and techniques; as well as skill in establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative work relationships. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 appropriate to the position to be filled. This education meets the IOR requirement. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, standing, lifting, walking, stooping, repetitive motions, and stretching. The work requires duty on weekends, holidays, and nights when so assigned. This position is also considered high risk because of the constant exposure to blood and fluid products, sharps and chemicals, and patients in isolation rooms due to communicable disease. 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/.
The Medical Technician is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC Spokane, Coeur d Alene Community Based Outpatient Clinic, and primarily at Spokane Valley Clinic. The employee performs many different functions, including accession specimens into computer system; collects, evaluates and processes patient specimens; answers questions relative to specimens; instructs and assists patients; and sends out specimens for testing.