Career Center

Summary

This position falls within Pathology and Laboratory at the Eastern Colorado Health System VA Health Care System and at this level has a higher-level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently. The incumbent serves as Medical Laboratory Technician performing a wide variety of laboratory tests on blood - urine and other body fluids of the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service Line.

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
• 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)
• 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) i ASCP - Board of Certification
• ASCP - Board of Registry
• American Medical Technologists
• OR 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
• 3 For grade levels above full performance level - the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 4.c.(1) above
• Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a current certification as described in subparagraph 4.c
• Grade Determinations: Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-07: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below
• Assignment-specific KSAs are designated with an asterisk (*) and are only required if that task is required of the position - as indicated below
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs 1-4 and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisks if MLTs are assigned advanced MLT duties: Knowledge of concepts - principles - methodology of medical laboratory technology - regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests
• Skill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing
• Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment
• *Knowledge of laboratory information technology (IT) systems including troubleshooting systems issues - interface requirements between new instruments and existing IT infrastructure and laboratory IT test development
• *Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as College of American Pathologists (CAP) - Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with continuing education and employee orientation to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements
• *Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards
• *Ability to assist with quality management activities in the laboratory - including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP - conducting quality improvement activities and communicating quality management results
• Assignments: MLTs at this level have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• They are responsible for performing difficult specialized tasks including - but not limited to - advanced blood banking (antibody titers - elutions) - advanced microbiology (Mycobacterium (Acid Fast Bacillus) Identification and Sensitivities - Mycology Identification - Virology - Anaerobic Culture - Polymerase Chain Reaction testing) - molecular testing - high complexity testing - recording workload statistics - quality management projects and obtaining data for validation studies
• Advanced MLTs may be expected to independently operate the full range of laboratory functions at remote sites
• Their duties consist of advanced operation - training and comprehensive troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and resolving any problems
• MLTs at this level may act as key operators for specific instrumentation
• Advanced duties may also include one or more of the tasks identified below
• When these duties are required - advanced MLTs must also demonstrate corresponding KSA(s) as identified by the asterisk(s) below
• *Laboratory Information Management: Carry out day-to-day operations related to laboratory information systems/computer use and system maintenance
• (KSA 5) *Safety Coordination: Oversee safe handling of specimens - chemicals and equipment by all staff and ensure compliance with safety regulations
• (KSA 6) *Laboratory Education: Plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements
• (KSA 7) *Quality Management: Coordinate quality management activities within the laboratory and ensure compliance with required standards of quality
• (KSA 8) Preferred Experience: Hospital 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 7
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 7
• Physical Requirements: The position primarily involves work performed in both sitting and standing positions with occasional requirements to lift objects - computer work and operating office equipment
• The position requires the ability to process written and electronic information
• The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients
• The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing
• The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients however standing and bending for a prolonged period of time - walking - lifting up to 20 pounds - kneeling - and some climbing of stairs is also required
• The work requires manual dexterity - a large degree of concentration - and working at top speed for several hours at a time
• The ability to distinguish colors and color intensity is required
• The Medical Technician may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics with the workweek - depending on the clinic workload.

Duties

• Duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: Performs Laboratory Tests and Reports Findings: Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision
• This position includes attention to details in all aspects of laboratory procedures - positive identification of patients and specimens - accurate testing - documentation and reporting of results
• Requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures
• collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
• and provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals - and others in the medical center setting
• The incumbent is qualified and certified to work independently in all areas of competence
• Establishes acceptable criteria for control/documentation/protocol pertaining to test or examination procedures
• Accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the results and for the adequacy of the results in furthering clinical objectives
• Performs tests that are new and involve very fine distinctions
• Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• seeks to locate and implement corrections
• Maintains and controls laboratory records in accordance with accreditation agency requirements
• Incumbent is responsible for presenting the data to the supervisor in a logical and systematic fashion
• The technician is responsible for data analysis including arithmetic calculations
• Algebra - graphing of data using interactive computer programs and statistical evaluations
• Evaluates and maintains detailed records of all experimental or other protocols and results are neatly kept and catalogued in appropriate format
• Records information pertaining to the storage of specimens or reagents and completes appropriate tracking/inventory system information
• Establishes record keeping systems to assure the accuracy and validity of test results - as required
• Maintains Equipment/Supplies/Facilities/Customer Service/Maintains Technical Proficiency/Safety Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment and controls supplies
• Determines compliance with safety requirements - establishes inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintains appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules
• Maintains laboratory stock and orders materials - as needed
• Maintains the laboratory in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements
• Calibrates and maintains laboratory instrumentation on timely intervals to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures
• Promptly and accurate responds to temperature and humidity alarms which is a critical life safety issue
• This is a Joint Commission requirement for compliance with storing laboratory supplies
• Responsible for reporting any readings outside of normal compliance with regulatory standards for maintaining laboratory supplies
• Meets the needs of external and internal customers while adhering to and role models VA mission statements
• Always maintains a positive attitude focusing on the customer and customer service satisfaction
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans - their representatives - visitors - and all VA staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
• Maintains technical currency through formal education and training and networking
• Ensures the adequacy of scientific knowledge applied in the performance of required tests
• Participates in conferences or training
• Regularly applies concepts - principles - methodology of medical laboratory technology - regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests
• Regularly applies new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing
• Works independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes
• Troubleshoots and repairs advanced complex laboratory equipment
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 3:30PM - 11:30PM rotating holidays/weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 554-58703-A