Medical Laboratory Technician

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA), Veteran's Health Administration (VHA), Wilmington VAMC Network (VISN 04), Wilmington under the Pathology and Laboratory Services. Performs work in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/25/2024 to 04/08/2024

• Salary

$53,109 - $69,044 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Location

2 vacancies in the following location:

• Wilmington, DE

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0645 Medical Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

Credentialing

• Announcement number

CBSZ-12362509-24-AG

• Control number

783283900

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) functions as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in the area of chemistry (including special chemistry and toxicology), hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, and specimen procurement and processing. The incumbent at this level develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing procedures are performed routinely on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and requires exercise of independent judgement and responsibility with minimal technical supervision.

Prepares/Examines Specimens

• Hematology- Operates instrumentation that performs blood cell testing with the newest methodologies which include impedance testing, flow cytometry, immunochemical staining.

• Urinalysis- Operates instrumentation for semi-quantitative and quantitative measurements of chemical and cellular constituents in urine specimens.

• Coagulation- Operates instrumentation for the determination of prothrombin time for warfarin monitoring, activated partial thromboplastin time, and d-dimer testing.

• Chemistry/Special Chemistry- Must have the necessary skills to program and troubleshoot the instrumentation, responsible for the operation of the analyzers to include calibrations, preventative maintenance, quality control test performance, and proficiency testing.

• Specimen Collection/Processing- Performs phlebotomy and follows current CLSI guidelines. Ensures two patient identifiers and active communication are used with each blood draw and specimen collection.

• Organizes Lab Collection Lists, STAT and Timed draws, and reviews the work list for uncollected orders and resolves the uncollected status. Processes specimens using complex instrumentation and centrifugation, and transfers specimens to daughter tubes for storage, shipping, or testing.

• Coordinates with Phlebotomists to ensure there is coverage where needed or where tasks need to be completed.

• Acts as an information specialist for the section and assists Providers and others in locating results, adding tests to existing orders, explaining collection procedures, handling requirements and any special requirements for esoteric testing.

• Packages and ships diagnostic specimens to reference labs following DOT and IATA regulations.

• Enters and verifies reference lab results in VISTA, evaluates the validity of the test result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age and gender of the patient.

• Ensures safe and nontraumatic processes are used with critical concern for the donor and for the quality of the specimen while using standard aseptic procedures and safeguards.

• Prepares slides, smears, cultures, etc., of extremely delicate or otherwise volatile specimens using critical concern for the quality of the specimen given the procedure to be used for test or examination.

• Performs tests that are new and involve very fine distinctions. Typically, many extremely delicate and exacting steps are required, and the instrumentation is elaborate and complex.

Maintain Equipment/Supplies/Facilities

• Determines compliance with safety requirements establishes inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintains appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules.

• Maintains laboratory stock and orders materials, as needed.

• Maintains laboratory in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements.

• Calibrates and maintains laboratory instrumentation on timely intervals to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures.

• Uses experience, education, and knowledge to extrapolate troubleshooting procedures with only minimal procedures or instructions.

• Conducts work according to Laboratory Safety Regulations and instructs coworkers and graduate students on safety policies and procedures.

• Functions as primary point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to supervisor to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies.

Maintain Laboratory Records

• Develops and maintains detailed records of all experimental or other protocols and results are neatly kept and catalogued in appropriate format.

• Records information pertaining to the storage of specimens or reagents and completes appropriate tracking/inventory system information.

Work Schedule: The work requires a five (5) days/week, eight (8) hours/day and may include rotating weekends and holidays. These positions are permanently assigned to either a day or evening shift. Final determination will be at management's discretion.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Medical Laboratory Technician: Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf (va.gov)

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job

• Subject to a background/suitability investigation

• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required

• May serve a probationary period

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. 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. Use processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and they accurately label and sort patient specimens. 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. 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.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work requires manual dexterity and exceptional hand/eye coordination, some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring walking, bending, sitting over a microscope and concentrate for long periods of time while reading specimens and to stand for several consecutive hours during the preparation of specimens. In many situations the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Position requires lifting of reagent containers weighing up to 35 pounds.

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/.

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.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.