Summary This position, located at the Oklahoma City VA HCS, serves as a Health Technician for the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service providing medical administrative support and certain types of nursing assistant functions within the laboratory and administrative VA staff. This is an Open Continuous Announcement until December 31, 2018. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Responsibilities Major Duties of this position include but are not limited to... Adjust equipment of laboratory testing, set up all necessary accessories and supplies regarding laboratory testing; ensures proper cleaning and minor maintenance of laboratory equipment Informs the Team of critical changes in testing status and lab values Ensures that all quality control materials are run and acceptable daily or as required by regulations; runs any proficiency specimens correctly and within required timeframe Maintains all records for lab certification, point of care testing, and maintenance on laboratory machines, assigning proficiency tests, and monitors all survey results Conducts prompt investigation of unsuccessful surveys assigned and report all findings to the ATC, Laboratory Supervisor, and CAP Collects, labels, processes, stores, and either ships specimens that require reference lab testing or delivers to laboratory area that performs tests that are outside of the Health tech scope of testing or not performed at VA facilities Monitors and documents temperature and humidity of room and equipment, refrigerators instruments etc. Performs daily, monthly maintenance as required and documents such appropriately Organizes work so that efficiency is paramount and work area is neat, tidy, and meets all regulatory requirements for sanitization required for laboratory certification Receives and accessions specimens from Oklahoma City VA Health Care System inpatients, outpatients, outside laboratories, other VA Medical Centers, and research studies; correctly accessions testing for referral and research specimens ensuring that billing is accurate for financial recapture Work Schedule: Variable Tours; Rotating Nights and Weekends Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician/PD12996-A and PD12996A Physical Requirements: The work requires much walking through the clinic, with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office equipment. The position requires the ability to process written and electronic information and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients; above average agility and dexterity is required due to the fine skills 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Designated and/or random drug testing may be required 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. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to...knowledge of management's objectives, goals, decisions and policies; knowledge of Federal and department personnel management policies and practices; knowledge of clinic organization, functions, specialties and programs such as social work, nursing laboratory, supply business offices function, etc.; knowledge of medical resources in surrounding community and willing to work with outside laboratories for emergency lab (point of care) testing; knowledge of medical and technical terminology; comprehensive working knowledge of applicable public laws, (College of American Pathology regulations,) VA policy and regulations, station directives; knowledge of medical and administrative records system, Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act and HIPPA as it relates to release of information on patients and protecting the privacy of patient information; knowledge of Veterans Integrated System and Technology Architecture (VISTA); knowledge of all computer menus relating to processing data for Laboratory; In-depth knowledge of CLIA regulations, College of American Pathology regulations on proficiency testing; ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures to make sound decisions using good judgment; ability to adapt to situations quickly, precisely and accurately; ability to cope with wide variety of problems and to resolve them quickly and decisively.; ability to deal with a variety of individuals with tact and diplomacy; ability to interpret and explain VA policies to house staff, patients, employees and others; ability to deal with individuals, who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or has severe psychiatric problems; ability to present self in a professional attitude and to create positive impressions management's representative and the ability to complete assigned projects, studies, narrative and statistical reports and reviews in a thorough, accurate and timely manner 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. Education There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. Additional Information The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.