AMVETS Jobs

Summary Position is with the Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System (EOVAHCS) in the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service. The multi-skilled Health Technician performs a wide range of functions which include compliance to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and The Joint Commission regulations for laboratory testing, clerical, and health technician functions. The Health Technician uses knowledge of technical methods and procedures to carry out a variety of essential duties. Responsibilities Duties Include: Operating guidelines to determine technical factors, setting controls, calibrating, and operating equipment and instruments such as occult blood analyzer. Ensuring proper cleaning and performing minor maintenance of laboratory equipment and adjusting as needed. Under the direction of the Lab supervisor, is responsible for maintaining records for point of care testing and maintenance on laboratory machines. Accepting patient orders, printing labels, selecting proper tubes and containers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), labeling specimens with all required information in front of the patient; collecting blood following proper tube collection without contamination. Determining the correct handling environment for each specimen submitted for referral laboratory testing and performing processing procedures which may be difficult, complex or non-standardized and may involve delicate and exacting steps working with specimens that may be irreplaceable such as tumor biopsy or aspirate. Ensuring fire, safety, disaster, and infection control procedures are implemented by staff; utilizing protective and supportive devices which comply with PPE Infection Control Standards. Processing tissue cultures and specimen samples related to pathology testing which require difficult specialized procedures. Instructing patients on proper specimen collection procedures to ensure specimens are acceptable for testing. Preparing specimens to be sent to outside laboratories, including reference and sharing laboratories, for testing not done at this laboratory; assuring the proper specimen was collected, recording in the send-out book, putting specimen in the proper receptacle, packaging specimen to maintain the correct temperature during shipping, completimg and checking paperwork, and sending specimen to the correct laboratory. Answering telephone calls, and coordinating information and actions related to patient care and services; assisting patients, visitors, and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Working cooperatively with a variety of individuals, including patients, staff, and visitors, always portraying a positive image and providing satisfactory customer service. Using courtesy and sound business etiquette in all interactions, whether interpersonal or telephonic. Performing patient care procedures such as collectioning of lab specimens, applying dressings, and adjusting simple supportive equipment. Preparing patient for blood collection according to College of American Pathologists(CAP) and The Joint Commission(TJC) guidelines; following proper patient preparation and venipuncture while following sterile collection techniques and bandage patient appropriately following collection. Performs patient care procedures such as collection of lab specimens, the proper collection and handling of various specimens including venous blood, instructs patients on proper specimen collection procedures to ensure specimens are acceptable for testing. Work Schedule: Various. Work schedule will be determined based on needs of the facility. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The work requires much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office equipment. The positions require the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fineskills of some of the point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. The incumbent may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics within the workweek, depending on the clinic workload.The work environment involves risks typically associated with performance of laboratory work. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts that require specialsafety precautions. Environment may involve infectious diseases, contact with or disposal of body secretions, verbal and physical abuse from emotionally distraught individuals and/or working around equipment. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician/PD14453A Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/30/2025. An Individual Occupational Requirement must be met by all applicants applying for GS 4 and above: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of 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 05 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 medical and technical terminology, and phlebotomy skills suggest collection of blood samples by venipuncture or arterial puncture procedure methods: knowledge of applicable public laws and/or applicable VA policy, regulations and station directives; knowledge of Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act and HIPPA as it relates to release of information on patients and the privacy of patient information; knowledge of medical and administrative records systems; knowledge of College of American Pathology regulations and proficiency testing; ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures to make sound decisions; ability to deal with a variety of individuals with tact and diplomacy; ability to complete assigned projects such as reports and reviews in a timely manner; skill in the use of tools, materials and specialized laboratory equipment. There is no educational requirement, substitution, or combination for GS-06 in this series. 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/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Education Additional Information "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." Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to 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 up to and including removal from Federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLC), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed anbd unlicensed clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPT) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also include VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.