Medical Technician - Phlebotomist

Job Title

*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 and Responsibilities Include:

• Processes a wide variety of complex specimens from hospitalized patients and patients from outpatient and community-based clinics.
• Receives, routes and stores specimens noting labeling, contamination, hemolysis, shortage or other errors in sampling, recognizing common environmental or other considerations that could affect the results.
• Draws blood from patients for requested laboratory tests. This includes special drawing techniques and assuring proper tubes are used and the correct amount of blood is drawn. Verifies patient as the individual denoted on the request and labels all tubes with the patient's name, social security number, date and time to insure proper identification.
• Performs glucose Tolerance Tests and other specialized blood collections as indicated. Incumbent has direct patient contact and must treat all patients with the utmost courtesy and respect.
• Performs all types of specimen collection in a courteous manner. Provides for patient comfort.
• Adheres to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing specimen samples. This includes such things as removing tourniquets and wearing gloves.
• Instructs patients in proper sterile midstream urine collections, 24-hour urine collection and the collection of specimens for culture and sensitivity, ova parasites and occult bloods.
• Responds to, reports and assists in emergency situations. Must know first aid procedures for the care of patients who become sick or faint while having blood drawn. Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn.
• Uses the VA computer system when processing specimens. Samples are accepted into the computer for testing, or the order removed from the computer if samples are not collected. Protects the security of the computer system and maintains patient confidentiality.
• Maintains accurate and orderly operational and quality control logs, records and worksheets where required according to established department protocol.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 12:00am-8:00am, Monday-Friday 4:00am-12:30pm, Monday-Friday 3:30pm-12:00am, or Monday-Friday 7:00pm-3:30am (actual shift to be determined by supervisor). All shifts may include alternating holidays and weekends.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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.