Summary

MLTs use independent judgment to perform full range of duties in the laboratory. MLTs perform day-to-day operations with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care. Duties include providing pre-analytic instructions to patients - VA staff - and external entities; operating and maintaining Point of Care (POC) instrumentation; performing specimen processing - waived testing; evaluating and reporting laboratory results.

Qualifications

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
• (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
• 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)
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-05: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Clinical laboratory experience including phlebotomy - specimen processing and point of care testing
• Phlebotomy and MLT (ASCP and/or AMT) preferred
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• This announcement is open continuous
• Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a biweekly basis until all positions have been filled
• Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled and may close sooner than 1/20/2026
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties Include - but are not limited to the following: Collects specimens with minimal discomfort to the patient - ensures accurate identification and proper preservation of the specimen and controls physical conditions to ensure the physiological state of the specimen is maintained throughout the pre-analytical process
• Evaluates specimen suitability for analysis and requests new ones if unusable
• Prepares specimens while maintaining their physiologic properties
• Prioritizes STAT - ASAP - and routine specimen collection - processing
• The technician must be knowledgeable about tests and specimen requirements across the laboratory areas to ensure proper specimen delivery
• Specimen collection and processing is performed independently - without supervision
• Supervisor and/or clinical laboratory scientists are available for consultation on complex issues
• Performs routine waived testing and quality control procedures - surveys samples on Point of Care instruments - reagents - and products - and maintains accurate records for quality control reports pertaining to waived testing
• Ensures compliance with accreditation agencies related to waived testing
• Recognizes POC instruments malfunctions - common problems and performs simple repairs and preventative maintenance
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures
• Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. - history - medications) to verify results
• Reviews laboratory results for accuracy and reports results in accordance with laboratory policy
• Reports and communicates significant or critical values promptly in accordance with policy
• Instructs - assists - and advises medical technicians - residents - hospital staff - patients - and students as necessary regarding questions including - but not limited to - patient testing - specimen collection and processing - equipment - ordering requirements - etc
• Works as a team member to effectively complete laboratory assignments
• Maintains a sufficient supply of phlebotomy materials - reporting shortages to logistics or the supervisor for resolution
• Ensures in-date supplies are used - rotates supplies to minimize waste - and properly discards expired materials (biohazard - sharps - or routine waste containers)
• Adheres to all facility - local - state - and federal safety requirements
• Conducts all work according to Laboratory Safety regulations
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Daytime hours
• No weekends/holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
• Repayment is limited to $40 -000 annually - up to $100 -000 in lifetime awards
• Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program
• Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.