The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician for the Pathology and Laboratory Service Line.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. At the Advanced level, Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty. The higher-level duties consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and are 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, advanced microbiology (Virology, Polymerase Chain Reaction testing), molecular testing, high complexity testing, recording workload statistics, quality management projects and obtaining data for validation studies. 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. The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician works in the laboratory areas as assigned. He/she also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as assigned. The duties and responsibilities of the Advanced MLT include but are not limited to the following: Duties/Tasks - Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Processes specimens using instrumentation such as centrifuges, and transfers specimens to aliquot tubes for storage, shipping, or testing. Measures aliquots of body fluids, such as 24-hour urine, in order to store or prepare for testing. Provides efficient customer service to clients who contact the processing section by phone, or, in person. - Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. - Operates a variety of complex instrumentation. The technician must have the necessary skills to program and troubleshoot the instrumentation. The technician must be responsible for the operation of the analyzers to include calibrations, preventative maintenance, quality control test performance, and proficiency testing. The complexity of the instrumentation requires extensive training and technical education related to the medical laboratory. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. - Spends 25% of the time or more working independently troubleshooting, completing highly complex tasks such as PCR testing, manual differentials, and urine microscopy, performing complex maintenance, or performing manual testing with basic procedures. The incumbent must use education, knowledge, and specialized expertise to perform these tasks. - Identifies regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and advises section leaders of discrepancies or deficiencies. - Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. - Evaluates the validity of the test result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age, and gender of the patient. - Performs venipunctures as well as capillary and arterial punctures for specimen collection. - 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, equipment, ordering requirements, etc. - Adheres to all facility, local, state, and federal safety requirements. - Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., compressed schedule is available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Education. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification. Certification. (1) 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-7 Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level, which is defined as: Working knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work; Working knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems; Maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing instrumentation; Working as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments; Using technical judgment to interpret laboratory results; Applying complex written laboratory instructions; Consulting with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers. AND 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: i Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. ii 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. v *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. vi *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. vii *Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. viii *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: Clinical laboratory experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/158 Part II Appendix G69 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. 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.

Education

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

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.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: Kelsey Albanese
• Phone: (515) 699-5999 X22023
• Email: [email protected]