Summary

The Lebanon VAMC is recruiting for a Medical Laboratory Technician. This is a position in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program - reporting to the Supervisory Medical Technologist.

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: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations
• American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) - ASCP - Board of Certification
• OR ASCP - Board of Registry
• American Medical Technologists
• 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
• For grade levels above full performance level - the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph above
• Grandfathering Provision
• All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in this qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before being promoted to those higher grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment English Language Proficiency
• MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for Medical Laboratory Technician - the following criteria is used to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-05
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• None Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-06
• Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions
• Ability to consult with other members of the health care team - patients and external customers
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G69 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 up to 20 lbs. - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers and both hands - walking - standing for up to 4 hours - kneeling - repeated bending - use of both arms and legs
• Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes - depth perception - ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors - hearing (aids permitted) - clear - high cognitive function and emotional stability
• ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Duties

• As a Medical Laboratory Technician - the primary responsibility will be specimen collection
• In addition to performing phlebotomy - the incumbent will be assigned to various duties according to the needs of the laboratory
• Major duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Performs venipunctures using proper collection technique from both outpatients and inpatients insuring that specimens are properly labeled and preserved
• Performs phlebotomy at an acceptable and constant rate to accommodate scheduled and unscheduled patients in a timely manner
• Ensures the correct identity of patients and maintains the identification throughout the entire collection and processing steps
• Utilizes the computer according to policy for determining laboratory requests and accessioning of specimens
• Properly instructs patients on specimen collection for those specimens that the patient must collect
• Insures that samples delivered to the Lab from other locations are correctly labeled and stored at appropriate temperatures
• Complies with all Laboratory safety and infection control policies without exception
• Consistently follows established guidelines for proper disposal of biohazardous materials - sharps and other potentially infectious materials
• Applies proper safety techniques when performing venipunctures and other duties to include use of proper personal protective equipment - maintenance of clean work areas and knowledge of proper techniques to clean up various chemical or biohazardous spills
• Maintains inventory of phlebotomy supplies and promptly notifies Material Management of supply needs before depletion
• Performs clerical functions such as copying - sorting - assembling - filing - delivery and others - as needed
• Processes collected specimens in preparation for testing or transport to reference laboratories
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 3:00 p.m
• to 11:30 p.m
• with weekend and holiday rotation Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 595-03951-F