This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 12/06/2023. Additional applications will be referred as needed. The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS). The Advanced MLT provides consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to the Community Provider Order (CPO) program.

Duties

When a veteran patient receives a consult for services from community providers, that veteran is also provided with documentation for payment of services. If that documentation authorizes laboratory services to be performed at a VA lab, community providers will write manual lab orders to be entered by the CPO Technician. The Advanced MLT will act as the CPO Technician for the AVAHCS by entering community provider laboratory orders. The Advanced MLT will also be performing a variety of duties in various departments of the clinical laboratory including specimen collection and processing. Testing performed by the incumbent will vary from waived to high-complexity clinical laboratory testing in areas such as clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, immunohematology (blood banking), and ancillary testing to provide accurate results to physicians that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Duties and tasks include, but are not limited, to the following: - Perform administrative work dealing with the CPO process analyzing, developing, evaluating, or promoting performance improvements in laboratory processes to maximize efficiency and improve quality in P&LMS business operations by working closely with the Supervisory Medical Technician and Medical Technicians in the laboratory outpatient area. - Provide training and guidance to the Medical Technicians and other lab and facility staff members in the CPO process as needed. Incorporate principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. - Support P&LMS leaders in the planning and implementation of department programs, selecting the approach, resolving technical problems, and advising on the coordination in carrying out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignments in accordance with established laboratory practices. - Assist management officials with laboratory continuous readiness for regulatory agency inspections and accreditations by preparing for inspections. - Support P&LMS leaders to ensure proper and timely proficiency testing (PT) performance and reporting and works on solutions for improvement. - Support P&LMS leaders to ensure that all employees performing collections and testing understand and comply with all safety regulations according to the P&LMS and facility safety policies. - Assist P&LMS leaders with the monitoring of quality components, continuous performance improvement initiatives, and obtaining customer feedback. - Perform a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. - Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles information. - Evaluate and solve problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements. - Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions. - Answer inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors, which influence test results. Interpret results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. - Maintain and document the optimal functioning of the automated analytical instrumentation used in all departments of the laboratory. Use, calibrate, identify malfunctions, repair, and perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment. - Diagnose deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. - Perform and document quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. - Adhere to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. - Assist with validation/method verification for new systems and techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. - Perform all duties independently, with minimal supervision. - Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. - Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Duties are continued in the Education section of this announcement. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English 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. OR (b) American Medical Technologists. OR (c) American Association of Bioanalysts. 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. GS-6 Assignment. At the full performance level, MLTs use independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. MLTs perform day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care. This includes providing pre-analytic instructions to patients, VA staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens. MLTs use processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and they accurately label and sort patient specimens. MLTs operate and maintain all instrumentation in assigned areas to deliver precise, timely and accurate laboratory results when analyzing body fluids such as blood, urine and tissue samples. MLTs at this level analyze laboratory findings and issue necessary reports. The results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures are discussed with supervisors, pathologists and other medical professionals as needed. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Three years of clinical laboratory work experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) in a hospital setting with ASCP, AMT, or AAB certification. Three years of medical terminology and laboratory testing knowledge. Three years of experience using computer software applications for data entry and other clerical and administrative duties. One year of experience with quality and inventory management experience for a clinical laboratory department(s). One year of experience with inspections from accrediting/regulatory agencies such as TJC, CAP, FDA, et cetera. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G69, Medical Technician Qualification Standard, dated October 10, 2023. This position is above the Full-Performance Level (GS-6 for this occupation). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Use of hands, eyes, standing, and light lifting/carrying may be required to perform some of the functions of this position, must be able to distinguish colors for testing interpretations and have fine motor skills with hands and finger, etc.

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.

NOTE: The required certification meets education requirements for this assignment.

Duties continued:

Community Provider Order Entry and Reporting:

• The Advanced MLT will receive laboratory orders directly from Veteran patients and providers outside the VA system. The Advanced MLT then evaluates the community provider laboratory orders and places orders within the VA laboratory information system to facilitate the patient specimen collection at VA facilities. The Advanced MLT reviews test results of those orders and documents that the results are provided to the ordering provider/designee, to include critical values. The incumbent coordinates this care with other VA systems and services to ensure efficient quality laboratory services.

Specimen Collection and Processing:

• The Advanced MLT maintains skills and is proficient in phlebotomy and follows CLSI guidelines for blood draws. The Advanced MLT uses two unique patient identifiers and active communication with identifying patients for blood draws and all other specimen collection processes; draws tubes in the correct order in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures; organizes the STAT and timed draws and reviews the collection list for uncollected data for outpatient blood draw and assists the phlebotomists to ensure there is coverage where needed or where tasks need to be completed; acts as information specialist for the section and assists practitioners in locating results, adding tests to existing specimens, explaining collection procedures, handling requirements and any special requirements for esoteric testing; processes specimens using the equipment, instruments and techniques required to prepare them for specific analysis, controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that physiologic integrity of the specimen is maintained; identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions that cause erroneous results (e.g. instrument malfunctions, improper test conditions, specimen appropriateness and viability); investigates and documents processing, labeling, collection and other specimen errors using problem report forms; enters reference lab results in the lab computer package, evaluates the validity of the result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age, and gender of the patient.

• The Advanced MLT performs a broad spectrum of complex STAT and routine in clinical chemistry, toxicology, drug monitoring, and other procedures utilizing a wide range of technologies including immunoassay. It is key that the MLT can utilize computer systems associated with specimen processing instruments. Other duties include entering and verifying esoteric lab test results from commercial reference testing laboratories.

• The Advanced MLT performs procedures associated with the enumeration and identification of human blood constituents and the study of the coagulation system. The Advanced MLT performs blood analyses using complex Hematology and Coagulation analyzers and manual counts. Knowledge of the physiological changes that affect sample stability and test accuracy is particularly important in this area due to the short stability of the samples utilized for analysis. Incumbent prepares stained slide preparations for the performance of microscopic work. The Advanced MLT must exercise critical judgement in the identification of human blood cells, particularly in white cell differential and the morphology of red cells. In Coagulation, tests performed include those used for monitoring anticoagulation therapy.

• The Advanced MLT performs procedures associated with enumeration and identification of urine elements. The incumbent performs urine analysis using complex analyzers. Knowledge of the physiological changes that affect sample stability and test accuracy are particularly important in this area due to the short stability of the samples utilized for analysis. The incumbent must exercise critical judgement in the identification of human urine components.

• The Advanced MLT performs procedures associated with identification of bacteria using a broad range of testing methodologies (molecular, panel ID, etc.). Incumbent prepares stained slide preparations for the performance of microscopic work. The incumbent must exercise critical judgement in the identification of bacterial and viral components.

• The Advanced MLT performs analysis using ancillary testing system

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]