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.

Duties

Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens &/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques & require a broad exercise of independent judgment & responsibility with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, including waived, moderate, & high complexity testing procedures in Clinical Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology, Immunochemistry, Urinalysis, Serology, Microbiology including molecular testing (polymerase chain reaction) & limited Blood Bank. This position includes attention to details in all aspects of laboratory procedures, positive identification of patients & specimens, accurate testing, documentation & reporting of results. Requirements to monitor quality control systems & measures; collaborate in the diagnosis & treatment of patients; & provide education for laboratory & other healthcare professionals, & others in the medical center setting. The incumbent is qualified & 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 & for the adequacy of the results in furthering clinical objectives. Performs tests that are new & involve very fine distinctions. Typically, many extremely delicate & exacting steps are required, & the instrumentation is elaborate & complex. Suggests possible alternative approaches to standard laboratory methods. Selects, performs, evaluates, & monitors the performance of non-routine & specialized test procedures using manual &/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes & reacts to indicators of malfunction; seeks to locate & implement corrections. Maintains & controls laboratory records in accordance with accreditation agency requirements. Incumbent is responsible for presenting the data to the supervisor in a logical & systematic fashion. +As such, the technician is responsible for data analysis including arithmetic calculations. Algebra, graphing of data using interactive computer programs & statistical evaluations. Evaluates & maintains detailed records of all experimental or other protocols & results are neatly kept & catalogued in appropriate format. Data are often graphed or displayed in tables to highlight results. Records information pertaining to the storage of specimens or reagents & completes appropriate tracking/inventory system information. Establishes record keeping systems to assure the accuracy & validity of test results, as required. Maintains the laboratory facilities & equipment & controls supplies. Determines compliance with safety requirements, establishes inventory & equipment maintenance requirements & maintains appropriate inventories & maintenance schedules. Maintains laboratory stock & orders materials, as needed. Maintains the laboratory in a clean & safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements. Calibrates & maintains laboratory instrumentation on timely intervals to minimize breakdown & delay of procedures. Promptly & accurate responds to temperature & 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 & internal customers while adhering to & role models VA mission statements. Always maintains a positive attitude focusing on the customer & customer service satisfaction. Consistently communicates & treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, & all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, & respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies & procedures. Handles conflict & problems in dealing with the customer constructively & appropriately. Maintains technical currency through formal education & training & 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 & accrediting agency requirements & medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Regularly applies new scientific/technical developments & theories to laboratory testing. Works independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes. Troubleshoots & repairs advanced complex laboratory equipment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 3:30pm-11:30pm AND rotating weekends & holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58703-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) ASCP, Board of Certification OR ASCP, Board of Registry. (b) American Medical Technologists. OR (c) American Association of Bioanalysts. 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. 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: Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-07 (a) 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 in part (c) below. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i. - iv. and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) 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. iii Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes. iv 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. Preferred Experience: Experience as a generalist in a hospital setting. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005 PART II APPENDIX G69 The full performance level of 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Tameka Snowden
• Phone: 4128223904
• Email: [email protected]