Student Trainee (Medical & Health)

The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. As a Student Trainee (Medical and Health), the incumbent performs duties of a medical laboratory aide in the clinical laboratory of the Harry S. Truman Veterans Affairs Medical Center in drawing routine specimens during high workload times, late clinic hours, and short staff coverage.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/24/2026.

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.
• Language Proficiency. No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Provisions of appendix II-I of chapter 3, this part will be used, as applicable, to determine that title 5 employees in direct patient-care positions meet the English language proficiency requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

You must qualify based on education as described below:

Grade Determination: GS 4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree.

The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainees will receive training on the job. The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions.

Internship Program: To be eligible applicants must:

• Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled.
• Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position.
• Be able to work at least 4 hours per week.
• Meet the grade qualifications must be met prior to start date.

If Selected you must:

• Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement,
• Maintain status as a current student,
• Maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale,
• Adhere to an established work schedule approved by the supervisor,
• Provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and academic transcripts at the end of each academic period and upon request,
• Perform, successfully, the duties and responsibilities in the assigned position description,
• Observe all workplace rules, such as dress code, office conduct and behavior,
• Participate in all VA mandatory training programs (either on-line or in the classroom),
• Notify the supervisor of any changes in the completion of the educational program, such as graduation date, changes in the major degree requirements, or changes in the educational institution's accreditation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Infection Control
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Medical Information
• Problem Solving
• Self-Management
• Specimen Collection
• Technology Application

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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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/.

Responsibilities:

This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/.

The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development.

Major responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to:

• Performing phlebotomy duties on both inpatients and outpatients.
• Utilizing a personal computer to access patient medical information.
• Using centrifuges and other laboratory equipment and supplies to process specimens after collection.
• Sorting, aliquots and distributing specimens throughout the laboratory and to other hospital and referral labs.
• Acting as courier to deliver specimens to UMHC laboratories and returning pathology reports, test results and specimens to the laboratory.
• Measuring, aliquots, and preparing preservatives for surgical and cytology specimens.
• Picking up, preserving, measuring, and aliquots and preparing for shipment all 24-hour urine collections.
• Stocking blood drawing and processing supplies in the receiving area and blood drawing room.
• Insuring printers in receiving room and blood drawing room are functioning properly, programs set up, and replacing paper, labels and ribbons.
• Answering queries from physicians, nurses and other hospital staff regarding test requirements, processing instructions, and test order status.
• Routing calls to the proper section of the laboratory.

Work Schedule: This position is part time, Not-to-Exceed (NTE) 1-year. The Student Trainees will work rotating weekends, holidays and hours during school breaks. Work includes various shifts during the hours of 5:30am to Midnight and will change according to class schedules.

Salary : $37,193