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Thank you for your interest in employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
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English Language Proficiency
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1.
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Are you proficient in basic written and spoken English?
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Minimum Qualification Requirements: Select the one statement below that best describes your current level of experience and/or education to meet the minimum requirements for this position. Please refer to the Qualifications and Duties sections of this announcement for detailed information.
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This occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) which is a minimum qualification requirement. To be considered for the position, you must ensure that the experience is reflected in your resume and/or if applicable, transcripts must be uploaded to support education requirement or substitution.
Specialized Experience: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled.
OR,
Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled.
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For the GS-5: Carefully read the following descriptions of the required specialized experience for the position. Your resume must support your response. Applicants must have one (1) full year of specialized experience related to this position. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal Service.
Specialized experience: Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations.
OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR,
Combination of Experience & Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
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Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration.
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Do you have experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients?
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For each task in the following groups, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
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The following statements pertain to Specimen Collection: Uses proper specimen collection techniques (phlebotomy/venipuncture, finger sticks, urine, sputum, tissue, etc.); selects appropriate site for sample collection to minimize patient discomfort; uses correct containers and labels; monitors patients for adverse reactions.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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Performs blood collection using a variety of phlebotomy techniques including vacutainer systems, syringe, butterfly, and/or capillary finger sticks
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Collects blood specimens, using correct container and order of draw
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Collects urine specimens and cultures in a manner that preserves the integrity of sample
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Processes emergency specimens and routine specimens in a timely manner
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Follows proper protocol for specialty blood draws
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Evaluates the suitability of specimens
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The following statements pertain to Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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Prepares electronic requisitions for samples to be sent to the reference laboratories
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Uses a computer to retrieve laboratory test information
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Performs computerized accessioning of patient specimens
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Identifies inpatients and outpatients for whom laboratory tests have been ordered, and prints labels for appropriate blood samples
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Understands and utilizes information resource technology (i.e. computers, printers, label printers, copy machines, phones, fax machines, various computer information packages, etc.)
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The following statements pertain to Customer Service: Works and communicates with clients and customers (e.g., any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit provides, including individuals who work in your agency or in other agencies or organizations outside the Government) to satisfy their expectations. Committed to quality services.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques of urine, stool, or other fluid collections
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Interacts with patients, visitors, staff, students and volunteers in a courteous, helpful, tactful, cooperative, respectful and compassionate manner
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Responds positively and in a timely manner to customer requests for service or information
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Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
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The following statements pertain to Patient Care: Knowledge of direct patient care techniques, including activities of daily living (ADLs), ambulating patients, infection control, and emergency response; uses appropriate safety precautions.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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Identifies patients and ensure proper sample procurement and specimen labeling
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Assesses patient condition before, during, and after procedures
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Administers initial intervention in the event of an emergency
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Observes and reports any physical or mental changes during patient blood draws
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Prepares samples for testing to include labeling, centrifugation, decanting and aliquoting, etc.
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The following statements pertain to Quality Assurance: Knowledge of principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a product fulfills functional requirements and standards.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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Sterilizes and autoclaves contaminated material according to safety policies
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Cleans glassware and other reusable items following established policies and procedures
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Adheres to all universal precautions, infection control, and safety regulations associated with phlebotomy
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Collects specimens using proper patient identification and specimen labeling
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Maintains operational and quality control logs, records, and worksheets
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Identifies unusual test results or discrepancies/conditions that can lead to erroneous results
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I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled; I may be denied an appointment; or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated and that responding "No" or providing no response to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
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REMINDER SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notice of Personnel Action. The SF-50 must identify your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade, you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade IN ADDITION to your last or most recent SF-50 indicating proof of status.
- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee.
- An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- General Adjustment SF-50's do not provide the information to reflect time-in-grade requirement has been met and therefore cannot be the only SF-50.
- If you are currently serving in a Hybrid Title 38 position, your SF-50's must reflect you have been in the position longer than one year.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
RESUME REMINDER: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position. It is beneficial to add: education, including name and location of college, dates attended, and type and date of any degree earned; other information such as possession of licenses, certificates, etc. Descriptions of duties must be sufficiently detailed to document the level of experience. Although not mandatory, if the position is (was) with the Federal government, either military or civilian, you should state the series and grade or pay grade (rank) and the date of last promotion.
Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered.
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title;
- Duties (be as detailed as possible);
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008);
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION REMINDER - In order to receive appropriate preference consideration, you must submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for veteran's preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4 or earlier version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference along with the required documentation listed on the SF-15 form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage).
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY - You must include proof of your eligibility (i.e., a copy of qualification certificate from a State or Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Office for a Schedule A appointment). Examples of special appointment authorities include Schedule A appointment, Peace Corp and VISTA Volunteers, etc. For a list of these authorities, please visit http://www.opm.gov/hr_practitioners/lawsregulations/appointingauthorities/index.asp and http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/#url=Schedule-A-Hiring-Authority for more information.
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