Medical Laboratory Technician

Summary

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician for the Core Laboratory and Phlebotomy sections within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. This position is located at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University Drive facility.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The GS-05 Medical Laboratory Technician is an entry-level position that performs the duties below under closer supervision. The Medical Laboratory Technician major areas of responsibility are: Accession and receipt of laboratory specimens into the laboratory information computer system; collect blood by venipuncture; ascertain correct specimen labeling, processing and distribution; answers questions relative to patient specimen collection; instructs and assists patients; specimen processing and performance of point of care testing such as urine pregnancy testing, COVID AG testing, fingerstick glucose testing and fingerstick INR testing; loading specimens on the analyzers; clerical functions such as answering the phone or calling lab test results to providers; entering results received from reference laboratories, additional duties as assigned. The technician also has the responsibility of handling patient/provider referral of incoming calls, customer service to veterans, visitors, and staff and laboratory specimen referral support. The medical laboratory technician performs technical and non-technical duties in accordance with the VA/CAP/TJC/FDA/AABB regulatory agencies. Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Maintains inventory and supplies for sample collection including but not limited to specimen collection containers and supplies, aliquot containers, requisitions, special kits and tubes and computer supplies. Performs patient testing including but not limited to; urine pregnancy testing, protime and INR testing by fingerstick, glucose testing by fingerstick, and COVID Ag testing when necessary. Draws blood from inpatients and outpatients for requested tests. Performs clerical functions including but not limited to, answering and screening phone calls and directing calls to the appropriate department; completing requisitions; filing manifests according to record schedules; filing results according to record schedules; and documenting specimens rejected for testing with accurate reason and notifying providers. Transcribes completed laboratory reports received from reference laboratories into the laboratory information computer system. Records and reports the test results into the laboratory information computer system. Loads samples received for testing onto the automated testing platforms. Performs, reviews and documents QC for all point of care testing in which they are trained to perform. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., including rotating weekends and holidays. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 646-03133-F; 646-03134-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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: 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): ASCP, Board of Certification Or ASCP, Board of Registry; OR (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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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: GS-05 Medical Laboratory Technician: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements GS-06 Medical Laboratory Technician: Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments. Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results. Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions. Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers. Preferred Experience: Clinical laboratory or reference laboratory technical experience preferred. 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06.

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