Medical Technician

This position works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the VA Medical Center in Biloxi, MS and performs STAT and routine tests on blood, urine, and other fluids covering areas of Chemistry, Immunology, Urinalysis, Hematology, Coagulator, and Toxicology.

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Uses a computer system to collect, receive, and accession samples to include adding, deleting and reporting of results.
• Performs various types of venipunctures using needle and syringe, evacuated tube systems, fingerstick procedures, butterfly adapters and bleeding time systems as necessary.
• Performs and reports finger stick glucose analysis.
• Utilizes knowledge of proper tube to be used, the correct amount of blood to be drawn, and proper specimen identification procedures.
• Collects and/or evaluates suitability of specimen for testing, prepares it, carries out the tests ordered and other ones if indicated.
• Ensure the Providers' orders are accessioned, and specimens are properly labeled.
• Performs laboratory verification of outpatient glucose meters, with educational assessment of patient's whole blood glucose testing technique.
• Prepares reagents, standards and control materials where necessary in Chemistry, Toxicology, Hematology, Coagulation Microbiology, Immunology, and Ancillary Testing.
• Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Verifies laboratory test results and compares them to previous patient results.
• Writes laboratory reports (identifying sample and stating methods and results), reports results of laboratory tests to appropriate individuals.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour shift within 5:00am-4:30pm determined by service; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

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.

AND

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristics basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

AND,

To qualify for this position you must meet one of the following:

EXPERIENCE At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: (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. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations.

OR

EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): 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.

OR

COMBINATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience, as described above. Note: only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, bending, lifting of some heavy containers, trips to wards for specimen collection, handling of uncooperative patients occasionally, and walking a lot between several Sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. May require reaching and bending to obtain supplies and operation of instruments. Occasionally lifts 20-40-pound containers of liquid reagent.

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/.

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/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.