What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Laboratory Technician position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. 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 in the Brownsville CBOC clinic.
Learn more about this agency
Help
Duties
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Medical Laboratory Technician: https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf
Duties outlined are at the full performance level GS-6
Incumbent performs administrative duties as necessary for laboratory services. Primary responsibilities are to receive and direct calls to appropriate laboratory department/section. Provide guidance to clinical and non-clinical staff on clinical and anatomical laboratory testing services. Document customer concerns, complaints, or compliments. Advise clinical and non-clinical staff on proper ordering protocols for patient testing and fiscal efficiency based on established guidelines or pathologist approval. Perform supplemental testing (add-on) function for the clinical laboratory and anatomical pathology. Incumbent must have technical knowledge of specimen requirements, storage, online laboratory services manual, and established policy or procedure to identify viable samples for the request determining suitability for requested testing, to include specimen location and routing for supplemental testing. Incumbent must maintain required information of all calls, physician encounters, and supplemental request.
Client Support Services
Incumbent must utilize these skills to perform primary duties of client support services. Duties are the reception of patients, performing positive patient identification procedures, verifying test orders in computer information systems, organizing patient workflow based, and processing orders correctly.
Specimen Collection and Processing
The incumbent maintains skills and is proficient in phlebotomy and follows established guidelines by accrediting agencies (i.e. TJC, CLSI, CAP) guidelines for blood collections. The incumbent uses two unique patient identifiers and active communication with identifying patients for blood collections and all other specimen collection processes; collects vacutainers in accordance to laboratory policies and procedures; organizes the STAT and timed draws and reviews the collection list for uncollected data for outpatient blood draw and assists staffing to ensure the needs of the service; acts as information specialist for the section and assists clinical and non-clinical staff with results, supplemental testing, collection procedures education, handling requirements and any special requirements for esoteric testing; processes specimens using appropriate equipment, instruments and techniques required for specific analysis, controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that physiologic integrity of the specimen is maintained; identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions that cause erroneous results (e.g. instrument malfunctions, improper test conditions, specimen appropriateness and viability); investigates and documents processing, labeling, collection and other specimen errors using problem report forms; enters reference lab results in the lab computer package, evaluates the validity of the result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age, and gender of the patient.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53220-F/53221-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
The incumbent processes biological and non-biological specimens for reference laboratory testing in accordance to established policy and procedure. The incumbent creates shipping manifest, sort samples into batches according to storage stability requirements, and verify for accuracy. The Incumbent makes informed decisions based established guidelines and protocols.
Ancillary Testing/Point of Care Testing
The incumbent performs analysis using ancillary testing systems. Incumbent follows established for ancillary/point of care testing. Incumbent performs all duties independently with minimal supervision. Incumbent is to adhere by all established protocols, policy, and procedures. May perform other related duties as assigned by management which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.
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:
Grade Determinations:
GS-5 Experience. None Beyond The Basic Requirements.
GS-6 (Full Performance Level)
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work.
ii Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems.
iii Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.
iv Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments.
v Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results.
vi Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions.
vii Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers.
Preferred Experience:
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.
Physical Requirements: 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.
Education
Not applicable
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Read more
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS
2601 Veterans Drive
Harlingen, TX 78550
US
This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. 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 in the Brownsville CBOC clinic.
Learn more about this agency
Help
Duties
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Medical Laboratory Technician: https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf
Duties outlined are at the full performance level GS-6
- 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.
Incumbent performs administrative duties as necessary for laboratory services. Primary responsibilities are to receive and direct calls to appropriate laboratory department/section. Provide guidance to clinical and non-clinical staff on clinical and anatomical laboratory testing services. Document customer concerns, complaints, or compliments. Advise clinical and non-clinical staff on proper ordering protocols for patient testing and fiscal efficiency based on established guidelines or pathologist approval. Perform supplemental testing (add-on) function for the clinical laboratory and anatomical pathology. Incumbent must have technical knowledge of specimen requirements, storage, online laboratory services manual, and established policy or procedure to identify viable samples for the request determining suitability for requested testing, to include specimen location and routing for supplemental testing. Incumbent must maintain required information of all calls, physician encounters, and supplemental request.
Client Support Services
Incumbent must utilize these skills to perform primary duties of client support services. Duties are the reception of patients, performing positive patient identification procedures, verifying test orders in computer information systems, organizing patient workflow based, and processing orders correctly.
Specimen Collection and Processing
The incumbent maintains skills and is proficient in phlebotomy and follows established guidelines by accrediting agencies (i.e. TJC, CLSI, CAP) guidelines for blood collections. The incumbent uses two unique patient identifiers and active communication with identifying patients for blood collections and all other specimen collection processes; collects vacutainers in accordance to laboratory policies and procedures; organizes the STAT and timed draws and reviews the collection list for uncollected data for outpatient blood draw and assists staffing to ensure the needs of the service; acts as information specialist for the section and assists clinical and non-clinical staff with results, supplemental testing, collection procedures education, handling requirements and any special requirements for esoteric testing; processes specimens using appropriate equipment, instruments and techniques required for specific analysis, controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that physiologic integrity of the specimen is maintained; identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions that cause erroneous results (e.g. instrument malfunctions, improper test conditions, specimen appropriateness and viability); investigates and documents processing, labeling, collection and other specimen errors using problem report forms; enters reference lab results in the lab computer package, evaluates the validity of the result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age, and gender of the patient.
- Duties continued in Qualifications section***
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53220-F/53221-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
- Duties continued in Qualifications section***
The incumbent processes biological and non-biological specimens for reference laboratory testing in accordance to established policy and procedure. The incumbent creates shipping manifest, sort samples into batches according to storage stability requirements, and verify for accuracy. The Incumbent makes informed decisions based established guidelines and protocols.
Ancillary Testing/Point of Care Testing
The incumbent performs analysis using ancillary testing systems. Incumbent follows established for ancillary/point of care testing. Incumbent performs all duties independently with minimal supervision. Incumbent is to adhere by all established protocols, policy, and procedures. May perform other related duties as assigned by management which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.
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.
Grade Determinations:
GS-5 Experience. None Beyond The Basic Requirements.
GS-6 (Full Performance Level)
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work.
ii Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems.
iii Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.
iv Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments.
v Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results.
vi Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions.
vii Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers.
Preferred Experience:
- One 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.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.
Physical Requirements: 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.
Education
Not applicable
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Read more
- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS
2601 Veterans Drive
Harlingen, TX 78550
US
