Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

Description:

The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician position is assigned to P&LMS at Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio. The incumbent to this position performs a variety of waived, moderate, and complex tests on biological specimens. 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.

Requirements:

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:

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).
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)

• ASCP, Board of Certification.

OR

• ASCP, Board of Registry.

(b) American Medical Technologists.

OR

(c) American Association of Bioanalysts.

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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 3, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

(1) 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.

(2) 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:

• Knowledge of clinical laboratory principles, methods, and procedures across multiple areas (Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, Urinalysis).
• Knowledge of regulatory and accrediting requirements (CAP, Joint Commission, FDA, AABB) and laboratory safety/infection control practices.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, proficiency testing, and laboratory information systems (LIS).
• Skill in performing waived, moderate, and complex diagnostic tests accurately.
• Skill in troubleshooting and maintaining laboratory instruments and analyzers.
• Skill in applying new scientific and technical developments to laboratory testing.
• Skill in conducting quality control and preventive maintenance procedures.
• Skill in training and mentoring staff and students in laboratory techniques and safety compliance.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex laboratory processes.
• Ability to interpret and apply detailed written instructions, SOPs, and regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to identify and correct testing problems and instrument malfunctions.
• Ability to ensure compliance with safety and accreditation standards.
• Ability to correlate test results with patient data and report critical findings promptly.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and enter data into LIS.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The Full Performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs); As needed - Straight pulling, pushing, walking, standing, repeated bending, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see and distinguish depth perception, basic colors, and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). In addition, the ability to deal with constant noise, work around machinery with moving parts, work closely with others or alone and work protracted or irregular hours.