This is an entry level Medical Laboratory Technician position assigned to P&LMS at Chalmers P. Wylie VA ACC at Columbus, Ohio. The incumbent to this position performs a variety of waived, moderate, and complex tests on biological specimens with frequent or direct supervision. 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.

Duties

PRINCIPLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (FUNCTIONS/SCOPE OF POSITION): Testing (60%) Using independent judgement, the incumbent performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens. Performs routine laboratory testing (both moderate and complex testing) in all areas of the clinical laboratory including Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Microbiology, Serology and Urinalysis. The entry level technician is assigned to rotate to all areas but may be assigned to one primary area based on laboratory needs. Packages laboratory specimens for pick up and shipment to reference laboratories. Performs and evaluates quality control and proficiency testing samples according to laboratory standard operating procedures and accrediting agency requirements. Performs preventative maintenance as scheduled, on a variety of laboratory equipment, to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures. Verifies accurate instrument functioning, troubleshoots instrument malfunctions, and takes appropriate action on any quality control shifts, trends or out of range results. Identifies unusual results or conditions which may cause erroneous results. Evaluates the problem and takes the appropriate corrective action. Ensures that laboratory areas are stocked, maintains appropriate inventories, and notifies appropriate personnel when supplies need to be ordered. Maintains work area in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements. Records laboratory data on charts, logs or computerized forms. Specimen Collection and Processing (30 %) 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. Other Duties (10%) Collecting and Processing Employee Drug Screen The individual will perform employee drug screen collection by the DHHS spilt specimen collection method and will maintain the change of custody for that sample. All paperwork and processing for this sample must be done by the same person and all forms need to be filled out before the sample is placed in the package and sealed for shipping. Performs miscellaneous minor duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 430pm, Saturday/Sunday, 7:00am - 5:30pm with rotating holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-5 92212-A and GS-6 92213-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). b. Education. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification. c. 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. (2) 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. For grade levels above full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 4.c.(1) above. (3) Loss of Certification. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the MLT occupation who fail to maintain the required certification, which may also result in separation from employment. d. Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in this qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before being promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment. e. 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. f. 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-05. (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None. (c) Assignment. This is an entry-level developmental MLT position. MLTs will typically receive guidance from experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. MLTs at this level perform testing in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing, phlebotomy, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, toxicology, urinalysis, referral laboratory, microbiology and specimen processing. MLTs recognize data with life-threatening (critical) implications and understand the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patient's physician and/or nursing staff. Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-06. (a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. (b) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work. ii Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems. iii Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. iv Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments. v Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results. vi Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions. vii Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers. (c) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, II-G69-6 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and the incumbent must have normal color vision.

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

Contacts

• Address Chalmers P Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219 US
• Name: Les Duckett
• Phone: 614-388-7836
• Email: [email protected]