Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

SummaryThe incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center.QualificationsAll qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge - Skill - and Ability (KSA) on a separate document. 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationCandidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certificationCertification: 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 CertificationOR ii ASCP - Board of Registry(b) American Medical TechnologistsOR (c) American Association of BioanalystsEnglish Language ProficiencyMLT 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 4 - VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidatesMedical Laboratory Technician - GS-07ExperienceIn addition to meeting the basic requirements - one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of concepts - principles - methodology of medical laboratory technology - regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic testsSkill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testingAbility to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processesAbility to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipmentAbility 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 resultsAdvanced duties may also include one or more of the tasks identified belowWhen these duties are required - advanced MLTs must also demonstrate corresponding KSA(s) as identified by the asterisk(s) belowQuality Management: Coordinate quality management activities within the laboratory and ensure compliance with required standards of qualityPreferred Experience: Clinical laboratory experience including phlebotomy - specimen processing and point of care testingPhlebotomy and MLT (ASCP and/or AMT) preferredReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.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 positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examinationExperience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professionalphilanthropicreligionsspiritualcommunitystudentsocial)For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but are not limited to: Perform complex laboratory testing procedures requiring advanced knowledge and attention to detailRecognize and address unexpected test reactions - errors - and discrepanciesIdentify technical - instrumental - or physiological causes of test problemsAnalyze patient variables and possible interfering drugs affecting resultsDetermine solutions based on test theory and clinical dataApply scientific principles to interpret abnormal test resultsEvaluate specimen suitability prior to analysis and request new samples if neededObtain and prepare patient specimens - preserving physiological integrityPrepare reagents and primary reference materials for testingTroubleshoot laboratory procedures - equipment - and techniquesCorrelate and interpret test results within the clinical contextAccurately transcribe results into the Cerner Laboratory Information SystemEstablish and maintain record-keeping systems to ensure test validityPrepare medical documentation to meet professional and accreditation standardsAccession patients and specimens per established guidelinesConvert analytical data into prescribed units for reportingPrepare and write laboratory reports with correct identification and methodsReport results to appropriate clinical staff in a timely mannerUse the Cerner Millennium Laboratory Information System to manage dataResearch laboratory information using the internet as neededAdhere to VA and laboratory cyber security policiesCommunicate and treat all customers and staff with tact and respectProvide consistent information according to policies and proceduresHandle customer conflicts or problems constructively and appropriatelyRefer unresolved issues to Supervisory CLS - Lab Manager - or Chief - P&LMSComplete required continuing education and professional training annuallyMonitor performance of tests and quality control reagentsOperate - calibrate - standardize - and perform maintenance on laboratory equipmentRecognize and troubleshoot minor instrument malfunctionsDocument corrective actions and report instrument problems to supervisorWork independently during irregular hours with remote supervisory adviceRecognize and promptly report critical or panic values to clinical staffHandle STAT specimens per lab policyperform confirmatory testing as requiredMaintain records of specimen accessioning - instrument maintenance - issues - and outcomesParticipate in quality management activities - including proficiency testing and SOP writingPerform clinical chemistry procedures using manual and automated methodsOperate and maintain chemistry analyzers - learning new procedures as neededPerform CBCs - differentials - and other hematology and coagulation testingOperate - calibrate - and maintain hematology and coagulation instrumentsPerform advanced microbiology testing and inoculate media as requiredProcess advanced blood bank procedures including blood type - compatibility - and transfusion reactionsPerform quality control checks for blood bank testingMaintain and use blood bank instruments and adhere to transfusion policyPerform qualitative - semi-quantitative - and microscopic urine testingConduct HCG (pregnancy) - fecal immunochemical - and related point-of-care testingCollect blood specimens using venipuncture and capillary methodsAccurately label - centrifuge - and aliquot patient samplesMaintain specimen integrity from pre-analytical through post-analytical stagesEnsure compliance with laboratory quality - safety - and accreditation standardsSafeguard sensitive patient information - adhering to all privacy and security requirementsWork Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday: Days/Evenings/Weekends/Holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual positionPosition Description/PD#: FS_581-26734-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 poundsLight carrying - under 15 pounds - Reaching above shoulderUse of fingersBoth hands requiredWalking (1 -2 hours)Standing (1 hours)Depth perceptionAbility to distinguish colorsHearing (aid permitted)