Health Technician (Microbiology)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2024.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience: GS-6: 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level GS-5 (developmental). Specialized experience must be demonstrated in applicant's resume.
To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this occupation are to include, but not limited to:
- Receives specimens into the laboratory area following all applicable policies and procedures.
- Verifies patient identification and specimen labeling prior to acceptance into the laboratory.
- Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable.
- Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Follows established protocol for handling of mislabeled/unlabeled specimens.
- Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by provider and accurately accessions specimens and maintains correct identification by name and/or accession number through each phase of processing/testing.
- Accessions tests into the laboratory computer system and ensures all applicable orders are utilized.
- Recognizes emergency testing situations and takes necessary action to direct the sample to the proper location. He/she notifies the laboratory staff of the need for emergent testing.
- Demonstrated ability to cope with stressful situations and troubleshooting to deal with problem samples.
- Processes samples as required following all applicable policies and procedures. Labels, relabels, and/or aliquots specimens when necessary.- Responsible for microbiology set-ups to include plating and accessioning of microbiology samples following all established protocols.

Purpose of the Position: To perform duties of a Health Technician (Health Tech - Microbiology) in the clinical laboratory of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week.

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/.

Physical Demands
The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform specimen processing as well as walking between different areas within the laboratory. The work involves utilizing a computer, visual acuity, and manual dexterity and the use of both hands. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.