| The position serves as a Medical Technician located in a Community-based Outpatient Clinic with the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. The position performs Phlebotomy, specimen testing, storage, and shipping of specimens, as well as various clerical duties for the outpatient clinic. The position performs CLIA waived point of care testing. This is a Temporary appointment not-to-exceed three years. Temporary appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration. The appointment to a temporary position does not confer eligibility for promotion, reassignment, or transfer to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. Performs blood collection procedures by venipuncture or capillary techniques on designated hospital patients. Establishes proper identity of all patients, ensures accountability of specimens by proper and complete labeling with the patient's full name and Social Security Number. Administers first aid, if necessary, to counteract unfavorable patient reactions. Organizes work in the collection room to ensure optimal patient flow. Keeps work area clean, organized, and well stocked with supplies. Disinfects and closes the collection area at the end of the shift. Maintains patient privacy in all matters in accordance with the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA). Performs special procedures to include, but not limited to, administration of oral products such as glucola for glucose tolerance testing and obtaining specimens for forensic or medico legal purpose such as blood alcohols and drug testing. Performs CLIA(Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 Act) waived complexity testing such as rapid testing for acute influenza A and B virus infection and detection of Group A Strep from throat swabs. Collects and begins PT/INR testing on the IStat Handheld Clinical point of care analyzer (for the measurement of Prothrombin Time and the International Normalized Ratio utilized for patients being monitored for the effectiveness of Coumadin) and submits it to a Medical Technologist for review and verification of results. Receives samples and specimens of tissue, blood, urine, stool, sputum, and other body fluids. Checks that all specimens are properly and completely labeled; assures the proper request, both hardcopy and VISTA computer orders and correct specimen (i.e., type, amount, etc.) are submitted with all required information. Contacts the appropriate clinic, ward, or nurse/provider when specimens are incorrectly identified or submitted. Contacts physicians for additional needed information and/or patient history in order to insure proper testing and interpretive data is received. Performs accessioning procedures using the VISTA system. Processes a wide variety of laboratory specimens for shipment to civilian or military reference laboratories using procedures and materials that conform to EPA (CFR 40) and OSHA (CFR 29) regulations. Performs all required specimen preparations prior to storage and shipment (i.e., centrifugation, serum separation, freezing, or refrigeration, etc.). Ensures all 24-hour urine collection containers are properly prepared with the appropriate preservatives and labels. Performs clerical duties related to handling of laboratory specimens, e.g. conducting order entry and patient registration in reference lab information systems, accessioning specimens, receiving test results from reference laboratories, entering results into the VISTA, verifying for completeness, and checking for pending test results. Makes distribution of reports to physician and medical records when automation is unavailable. Accurately enters results into the VISTA computer system. Immediately contacts physician of critical results. Accesses reference laboratory information system to retrieve patient results. Uses vendor-provided (commercial laboratory) computer terminals and printers to obtain test results or status. Operates and maintains the computer systems in accordance with the contractor's recommendations and existing departmental SOPs. Troubleshoots to identify malfunctions and takes necessary actions to correct the malfunctions identified or contacts the information systems officer for support if corrective actions is beyond operator's capability/responsibility. Work telephonically with vendor hotline personnel in an effort to correct computer/printer problems. Maintains files hard copies of laboratory reports in an organized, systematic manner, which allows easy retrieval of results. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 4:30pm, with varying shifts available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD10390-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
