Medical Technician (Phlebotomist)

About the Role

This position is located within the Chief of Staff - Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Lufkin, Texas, and is affiliated with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The Medical Technician (Phlebotomist) performs a variety of clinical and administrative functions in support of patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions while drawing specimen samples.
• Keeps area clean and hazard free.
• Performs all types of specimen collection in a courteous manner.
• Familiar with tests performed throughout the laboratory, including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, microbiology, and cytology.
• Follows standard procedures and applies practical knowledge of specimen properties for accurate testing.
• May perform selected low complexity tests and provide technical support to Medical Technologists.
• Prepares test orders, including manual order entry and extraction of patient data from the electronic health information system.
• Verifies accuracy and completeness of test requests, sample requirements, and conditions in the computer.
• Draws blood by venipuncture methods for a variety of test procedures.
• Provides proper post-venipuncture care to patients.
• Collects blood cultures using proper protocol to avoid skin contaminations.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Subject to change due to facility needs.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Electronic health information system
• Computer systems for patient or laboratory information.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)

Applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below in addition to the GS-4 qualification requirements.

Specialized Experience

• Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic, and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings.

OR

• 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.

OR

Education and Training

• Successful completion of an associate-degree course of study, where the second year included a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

OR

• 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or biological sciences, plus successful completion of the training course described above for GS-3.

OR

• 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science coursework directly related to the specialization of the position.

(Transcript Required)

General and Specialized Experience (Additional Requirements)

Applicants must have 6 months of specialized experience and 6 months of generalized experience, or meet educational requirements, or a combination of specialized experience and education.

General Experience: Any type of work demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience providing familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Specialized Experience

• Performing or assisting with blood collection procedures, such as venipuncture or capillary collection.
• Preparing, labeling, handling, or processing patient specimens for testing.
• Verifying patient identification and following established procedures to ensure accurate specimen collection.
• Entering, retrieving, or maintaining patient or laboratory information in electronic systems or records.
• Providing customer service and communicating with patients, clinical staff, or other healthcare personnel.

OR

Education (Substitution for Experience)

• 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.

(Transcript required)

OR

Combination of Experience and Education

• A combination of specialized experience and 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.

(Transcript required)

Physical Requirements

• Extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods, bending, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching.
• Manual dexterity and a large degree of concentration.

Work Environment

• Medical laboratory with daily exposure to patients and materials carrying infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals.
• Proper precautions are practiced.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases.
• Regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts requiring special safety precautions (e.g., working around carts or machines with bio-hazardous samples, contagious diseases, or irritant chemicals).
• Risk of needle stick.
• Use of protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, goggles, gloves, or shields is required.

Important Notes

• Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• HCP must receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.
• Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.
• HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action.
• HCP includes all VA personnel who work in VHA locations or come into contact with VA patients or other HCP during influenza season.