Nursing Assistant- Phlebotomy

Summary

The Phlebotomy/Nursing Assistant (NA) will practice in the Primary Care Clinics and may be assigned to the clinics located in Portland, Vancouver, Bend, Salem, Fairview, West Linn, or Hillsboro. Incumbent may assist members of the PACT Teamlet or support the work of the expanded team. The main responsibility of Incumbent will be to perform specimen collection of (urine, sputum, blood, or stool) ensuring to utilize proper labeling, packaging, and transport instructions.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

02/26/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$39,794 - $64,966 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Locations

• Bend, OR

• Fairview, OR

• Hillsboro, OR

• Salem, OR

• Show more locations (2)

• West Linn, OR

• Vancouver, WA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

5

• Job family (Series)

0621 Nursing Assistant

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSV-12331344-24-TP

• Control number

778420400

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This job is open to

• Federal employees

• Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees

• Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Applicants will be referred in the following order: First

• Current Portland VA Health Care System Employees; Second

• Current Permanent VA Employees Nationwide; Third

• Current Permanent Federal Employees Other Agencies

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Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• The main responsibility of Incumbent will be to perform specimen collection of (urine, sputum, blood, or stool) ensuring to utilize proper labeling, packaging, and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory. Incumbent must utilize proper facility required patient identified methods and ensure patient confidentiality is maintained. Incumbent access and complete specimens' orders from the hospital computerized system, utilize centrifugation (id required), and prepare specimen prior to laboratory testing. Incumbent will exercise effective communication skills prior to, during, and after specimen collection, ensuring to review pertinent information with the patient. The incumbent will maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic techniques, following department procedures, and observing and adhering to personal protective equipment policies and guidelines. The Phlebotomy NA will adhere to applicable infection control guidelines of hand hygiene before and after venipuncture of all patients. Incumbent will demonstrate knowledge and skill in utilizing noninvasive vein mapping devices as well as demonstrates competency in venipuncture and specimen collection. Incumbent resolve order discrepancies by contacting the order originator for further clarification, notifying supervisor of unresolved orders. Incumbent must maintain a safe and secure working environment by adhering to local medical center standards, policies, and procedures as well as other federal or state regulating bodies to include but not limited to Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

• As needed, the incumbent will provides care and services to multiple populations served within the clinic, area of assignment as determined by the patient/clinic need for nursing care and services. Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to observe, identify, and respond to Veterans needs for nursing, emergencies, medication, point-of-care- testing, and equipment assistant care to recognize deviations from normal, assist with technical procedures but not limited to: taking and recording BP, temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse ox, height, weight, specimen collection such as urine, sputum, or stool, finger glucose, and administering oxygen. Incumbent will assist with completing health promotion clinical reminders and documenting accordingly. Incumbent will assist with health literacy and education needs of the veterans as directed by the RN or Health Care Provider and manage clinic workflow by ensuring veterans are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to Veterans as they move through the clinic environment.

Work Schedule: 0700-1730 (varying shifts available)

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 0000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

EDRP Authorized: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year [ ] as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

• Quality of Experience. To be creditable,

• [NA] experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.

• Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a [NA] is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a [NA] employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

• English Language Proficiency. [NAs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 [NA] (Entry Level)

• Experience [and] Education

• None beyond the basic requirements.

• Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 [NAs] are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 [NA]

• Experience. One year of specialized experience as a [NA] or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments

OR,

• (b) Education. Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians;

AND

• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: ?
• 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
  
  
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  2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
  
  
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  3. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.
  
  
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  4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals
  
  

GS-5 [NA] (Full Performance Level)

• Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below

OR,

• Education. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree

AND

• (c) Demonstrated KSAs
• 1. Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
  
  
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  2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new [NAs] by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
  
  
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  3. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.
  
  

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/7 PART II APPENDIX G16

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 3 to GS5.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute

Education

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/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.