Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

Summary

Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician performs a variety of waived - moderate - and complex tests on biological specimens. They serve as a generalist in the laboratory with responsibility for performing testing in all areas of Chemistry - Hematology/Coagulation - Blood Bank - Microbiology - Serology - and Urinalysis. They have advanced knowledge of Clinical Laboratory concepts - principles - and methodologies - and all laboratory accrediting agency requirements. Position is located in Little Rock - AR.

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
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification
• Candidates must meet one of the appropriate Medical Laboratory Technician certifications below
• American Society of Clinical Pathology - Board of Certification ASCP BOC American Society of Clinical Pathology - Board of Registry ASCP BOR American Medical Technologists AMT American Association of Bioanalysts AAB Foreign Education
• Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if the have a current Grade Determinations: Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-7. Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-6 next lower grade level is required for all GS-7 assignments
• Credible experience includes knowledge of MLT principles - practices - concepts - and theories
• knowledge of lab quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems
• maintain - troubleshoot and repair instrumentation - work as a team member - use technical judgement to interpret lab results
• apply complex written laboratory instructions
• and consulting with other members of the health care team - patients - and external customers
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following GS-7 Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of concepts - principals - 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience with moderate and high complexity laboratory testing - reference testing - and phlebotomy
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 07 Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials
• Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats - fume hoods - safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors
• Work is performed in a laboratory setting
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
  
  

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Medical Laboratory Technician duties include but not limited to: Advanced Duties (15%) - The work performed by the technician requires professional knowledge and competence in the field of clinical laboratory technology
• They must be able to work independently and be able to interpret and apply complex written instructions from a variety of sources (i.e
• Operating procedures - CLSI documents - VA directives - and accrediting agency requirements) to determine the correct course of action
• Testing (40%) - independently performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood - urine - body fluids and other specimens
• Specimen Collection and Processing (25%) -Verifies identity of patient and collects blood specimens with minimal discomfort to the patient using standard phlebotomy techniques
• Incumbent performs both venipuncture and capillary collections utilizing vacutainer - syringe - butterfly - or finger stick devices
• Collects blood from both inpatients and outpatients
• Labels samples accurately - centrifuges - and aliquots samples as needed
• Controls physical conditions and observes any time factors necessary to ensure the physiological state of the specimen is maintained throughout the pre-analytical to post analytical stages
• Performs Employee Drug Screens (15%) - responsible for the proper collection and documentation of employee drug screening - as mandated by employee health
• Coordinates dispatch and pick up for intra-laboratory transporting of specimens (5%) - communicates with the satellite laboratories to ensure prompt pickup and delivery at a prescribed location and time during the regular tour of duty
• Uses vans or passenger vehicles supplied by VA transportation department to shuttle between satellite laboratories and the Main Laboratory in Little Rock
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00 am to 3:30 pm including holidays
• Subject to change based on needs of the facility
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 00739F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized