Health Technician (Laboratory Send-Outs/Processing)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS 5 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 (entry level) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to the: Knowledge of laboratory procedures and terminology for all disciplines of the laboratory. Knowledge of regulatory and laboratory accreditation agency requirements surrounding laboratory specimen receipt, processing and handling, in addition to various testing requirements. Knowledge of general laboratory policies and procedures such that the incumbent is able to communicate requirements to and answer questions from patients and clinical staff. OR, Education: 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 directly related to the position. OR Combination of Specialized Experience and Education. GS 6 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 (developmental) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to the: Knowledge of laboratory procedures and terminology for all disciplines of the laboratory. Knowledge of regulatory and laboratory accreditation agency requirements surrounding laboratory specimen receipt, processing and handling, in addition to various testing requirements. Knowledge of general laboratory policies and procedures such that the incumbent is able to communicate requirements to and answer questions from patients and clinical staff. There is no educational substitute for the GS6 grade level. The Full performance level is GS6; candidates may be selected from GS5 or GS6 grade levels. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. 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/. 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. Physical Demands The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform specimen processing as well as walking between different areas within the laboratory. The work involves utilizing a computer, visual acuity, and manual dexterity and the use of both hands. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.
Health Technician is in the clinical laboratory of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Will receive and process specimens including computerized accessioning, centrifugation, aliquoting, determining specimen acceptability, and delivery to the point of analysis or, if analysis is to be delayed, ensuring proper storage conditions to preserve specimen integrity. This is an open continuous announcement. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as positions become open.