The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician position is assigned to P&LMS at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. The incumbent performs both routine and difficult and complex laboratory testing as assigned (including, but not limited to laboratory testing in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, accessioning, sendouts, and serology sections).

Duties

DUTIES: Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements. Accepts and/or documents incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system (or backup system) as per established policies and procedures. Reports all specimen problems according to established guidelines. Verifies accuracy, completeness and validity in the testing process. Adheres to requirements to accomplish plans to assure successful accreditation by regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, CAP, CLIA, FDA, , Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies and other governing bodies. performs complex testing such as coagulation studies including prothrombin testing, activated partial thromboplastin testing, fibrinogen testing, and D-Dimer testing. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Troubleshoots and repairs instrumentation. Performs a full range of biochemical tests, must have an extensive knowledge of instrumentation to install, calibrate, troubleshoot and resolve problems. Helps to maintain an effective liaison with biomedical engineering personnel from Healthcare Technology Management and/or manufacturer's technical service representatives to help assure optimal uninterrupted services. Assists in training employees in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety. Accountable to technical supervisor or Pathologist to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies. Performs College of American Pathologists (CAP) surveys within regulatory guidelines rotating surveys among testing personnel. Prepares reagents, assembles equipment and supplies and verifies correct instrument operation. Performs analysis on unknown samples that are introduced as a means of checking performance. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm; Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. (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). Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements 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: 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. Assignment-specific KSAs are designated with an asterisk (*) and are only required if that task is required of the position. 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. 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. Assignments: MLTs at this level have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be 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 (antibody titers, elutions), advanced microbiology (Mycobacterium (Acid Fast Bacillus) Identification and Sensitivities, Mycology Identification, Virology, Anaerobic Culture, Polymerase Chain Reaction testing), molecular testing, high complexity testing, recording workload statistics, quality management projects and obtaining data for validation studies. Advanced MLTs may be expected to independently operate the full range of laboratory functions at remote sites. 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. Advanced duties may also include one or more of the tasks identified below. When these duties are required, advanced MLTs must also demonstrate corresponding KSA(s) as identified by the asterisk(s) below. i *Laboratory Information Management: Carry out day-to-day operations related to laboratory information systems/computer use and system maintenance. (KSA v) ii *Safety Coordination: Oversee safe handling of specimens, chemicals and equipment by all staff and ensure compliance with safety regulations. (KSA vi) iii *Laboratory Education: Plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements. (KSA vii) iv *Quality Management: Coordinate quality management activities within the laboratory and ensure compliance with required standards of quality. (KSA viii) References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G69 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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 Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Shaundrel Land
• Phone: 4042457329
• Email: [email protected]