Supervisory Health Technician

Summary

Serves as the Supervisory Health Technician responsible for overseeing the Phlebotomy and Processing Section within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee (Tulsa), Oklahoma. The position reports to the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Assistant Laboratory Manager) and provides first-line technical and administrative supervision to a staff of GS-0640-05/06 Health Technicians.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Oversees the daily operations of the section, ensuring that agency policies and priorities are followed, reviews the incomplete pending list to ensure all specimens are collected and accounted for. Develops performance standards and communicates these standards to subordinates and evaluates employee performance. Supervises the day-to-day operation of the specimen processing area for all specimens received into the laboratory and all specimens sent from the laboratory. Plans and assigns work based on established priorities, the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and employee capabilities. Prepares work schedules to ensure the efficient and timely collection and processing of specimens. Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Reviews and approves leave of subordinate employees as appropriate, ensuring minimal necessary coverage of the area is always maintained. Identifies and provides for training needs and evaluates processes to identify ways to improve efficiency, production, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the section. Administers competencies as needed for all employees in the section. Oversee inventory processes and assignments for maintaining supplies in the department. Utilizes system for ordering supplies such as special collection containers, special media, aliquot tubes, shipping bags, labels, forms,etc. Maintains a list and inventory of supplies for the section to ensure adequate supplies are available and places emergency orders when appropriate. Escalates supply deficiencies that may result in inability to collect or perform testing. Receives specimens into the laboratory area in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Verifies patient identification and specimen labeling before accepting specimens into the laboratory. Recognizes emergency testing situations, directs specimens to the appropriate laboratory location, and notifies laboratory staff of the need for emergent testing. Processes samples for reference laboratory testing and prepares required shipping manifests. Packages specimens in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Uses laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers, and consumable materials such as transfer pipettes, aliquot tubes, and specimen containers. Ensures equipment is in proper working condition before use. Maintains records of specimens submitted to reference laboratories, including accession forms and shipping manifests. Provides information, guidance, and technical advice to clinical staff regarding test ordering and specimen collection and submission requirements. May perform waived testing as needed by the service. Performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Supervisory Health Technician/PD148990 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring standing and walking within the laboratory and between laboratory work areas. Frequently uses a computer and laboratory equipment and must have sufficient visual acuity and manual dexterity to read specimen labels and computer screens, enter information accurately, and handle specimens, containers, and laboratory materials. The work also requires intermittent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and lifting or carrying laboratory supplies, specimens, and equipment, with assistance or appropriate lifting equipment when necessary. Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory environment and involves regular and recurring exposure to blood, body fluids, clinical specimens, potentially infectious materials, chemicals, and biohazardous waste. The work may also involve exposure to sharps and laboratory equipment. The incumbent follows established safety and infection-control procedures and uses appropriate personal protective equipment, including laboratory coats, gloves, face protection, or other protective equipment appropriate to the task. Chemical and biohazardous materials are handled and disposed of in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640 Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) : IOR: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. In ADDITION to meeting the IOR Requirement the Health Technician 0640 Series requires Specialized Experience to be met as well. GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 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: In addition to the IOR, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Practical knowledge of a wide range of standardized laboratory procedures, practices, and terminology associated with phlebotomy, specimen receipt, accessioning, processing, handling, preservation, packaging, shipment, and assigned testing. Understands minimum specimen requirements for in-house and reference laboratory tests, including specimen type, volume, temperature, collection container, processing method, and time limitations. Skilled in recognizing technical and mechanical indicators, troubleshooting laboratory equipment and processing problems, and implementing appropriate corrections within the incumbent's authorized scope of practice. knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local requirements related to specimen handling and shipment, including requirements governing diagnostic specimens, hazardous materials, infection control, and biohazardous waste. The incumbent also has knowledge of VA/VHA/VISN and medical center policies and applicable laboratory accreditation and regulatory standards governing specimen receipt, processing, handling, testing, and quality assurance. Possesses oral and written communication skills sufficient to explain laboratory procedures and specimen requirements, provide technical guidance, respond to inquiries, and address customer concerns when interacting with patients, clinical staff, reference laboratory personnel, and individuals from diverse educational, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. OR, Education/Internship: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required if the education or internship was directly related to the work of the position. Transcripts are required if you're using educati