Summary

This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS. The incumbent works in the Pathology and Laboratory Service and functions as a Medical Technician - performing key duties in the clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology. Clinical laboratory procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques to provide accurate results to physicians that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• Education
• Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification
• Certification
• (1) Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations
• (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) i ASCP - Board of Certification
• OR ii ASCP - Board of Registry
• (b) American Medical Technologists
• OR (c) American Association of Bioanalysts
• Exception
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may receive a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed two years as a graduate MLT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• GS-05 Grade Determinations: This is the entry level for a Medical Technician
• No experience is required beyond the basic requirement
• Preferred Experience: GS-05: 1 year Phlebotomy experience with a variety of age groups
• Basic knowledge and understanding of medical terminology
• Knowledge in specimen collection and processing for different disciples to include in house testing and reference lab testing Knowledge in advance phlebotomy services to include - blood culture collection - H
• Pylori Breathe Test collection - Glucose Tolerance Collection - and Chain of Custody Drug Testing
• Knowledge of point of care testing to include quality control and quality assurance
• Ability to communicate - consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education
• GS-06 Grade Determination: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i
• - iv
• and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) if MLTs are assigned advanced MLT duties: Knowledge of MLT principles - practices - concepts - and theories for sound independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems
• Ability to maintain - troubleshoot and repair instrumentation
• Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments
• Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results
• Preferred Experience GS-06: 1+ year of phlebotomy experience with all age groups
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of medical terminology
• Experience in specimen collection and processing for different disciples to include in house testing and reference lab testing
• Experience in advance phlebotomy services to include - blood culture collection - H
• Pylori Breathe Test collection - Glucose Tolerance Collection - and Chain of Custody Drug Testing
• Experience with point of care testing to include quality control and quality assurance
• Ability to communicate - consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 05 to 06
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers and both hands - walking - standing - kneeling - sitting - repeated bending - and use of both arms and legs
• Specific visual requirements include vision for both eyes - depth perception - the ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors (color blindness) - and the ability to read ordinary type without strain
• The incumbent must have adequate hearing (aids permitted) and must have the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• May also be require travelling by auto or plane
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures to include pre-analytic - analytic and post analytic processes with minimal technical supervision
• Performs testing in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing - phlebotomy - hematology - immunohematology - clinical chemistry - immunology - toxicology - urinalysis - referral laboratory - microbiology - and specimen processing
• Recognizes data with life threatening (critical) implications and understands the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patients' physician and/or nursing staff
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test results
• Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS #53220-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized