Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Coordinate phlebotomy support to medical technologists and physicians directly or indirectly utilizing services of P&LMS by coordinating and assisting in the daily activities of the team of technicians who perform phlebotomy, accession specimens, and perform other procedures necessary to ensure appropriate specimen receipt, handling, processing, and testing for reliable laboratory results for Pathology and LMS, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates and monitors proficient collection of blood samples with minimal delay by making necessary adjustments to bench assignments. Addresses patient phlebotomy issues such as difficult sticks, troubleshooting patient samples, and resolving patient/patient family members and provider/nurse complaints or concerns. Uses computer to check-in patients, look up patient orders, scan in collected samples. Performs basic data input, accessioning, and retrieval. Verifies patient information and tests ordered in the computer system. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials, and supplies. Provides initial employee training and remedial training as needed. Uses the appropriate equipment and materials. Performs proper Patient identification. Performs venipuncture specimen collection. Checks request slips for proper information, and time stamps the request slip. Ensuring all scheduled blood collections for patients are appropriately staffed and completed timely. Provides excellent customer service to all patients arriving in the laboratory for blood collection. Resolves many issues/problems independently in the majority of cases, depending on supervisor only for difficult or management concerns. Maintains optimal patient flow throughout phlebotomy areas by assigning tasks and coordinating employee breaks/lunches. Uses agency computer systems relevant to hospital information system (VISTA) to perform basic data input and retrieval, and to perform basic accessioning and specimen identification procedures. Utilizes effective skills in customer service and dispute resolution. Conducts basic clerical and record keeping techniques; ability to file and retrieve laboratory test information, either manually or by use of a computer; maintain daily worksheets Work Schedule: M-F: Multiple Tours Rotating weekends and holidays. Tours are subject to change based on scheduling needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Medical Technician (Phlebotomy)/PD08590A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/27/2025. Individual Occupational Requirement: 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 Education and Training: For GS-5: 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 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-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes directing and monitoring overall workflow of specimen processing areas; coordinating training for lab safety, data entry, specimen collection, and processing, knowledge of testing methodologies used in the clinical laboratory and is familiar with the different type of instrumentation used; ability to maintain liaison with reference laboratories and ensures all reference tests are collected, processed correctly; and ability to resolve problems and discrepancies concerning patient or specimen identification, lost or improperly drawn specimens, and takes appropriate action to resolve the problem, distributing and balancing workload among employees assuring timely completion. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation (chemistry, hematology, blood banking and microbiology (including serology), etc. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education as described above You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clerical Computer Skills Specimen Collection Accountability Communication 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: Physical demands may involve minimal lifting of supplies and materials, standing, foot travel, bending, and sitting. The incumbent must have the digital dexterity and adequate vision to perform safe venipuncture and testing procedures. Lifting will not exceed a weight of 10 pounds. The incumbent must fully utilize all safety practices and equipment provided by the medical center assuring compliance with local and accrediting agency requirements 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/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.