Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technician

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Details

Posted: 13-Jul-25

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Categories:

Allied Health

Internal Number: 832786100

Summary

The primary function of this position is to obtain blood specimens by venipuncture from properly identified patients for laboratory testing - and provide properly prepared specimens for testing. It is the responsibility of the Medical Technician to assist with maintaining records for lab certification - point of care testing - and maintenance on laboratory machines - assigning proficiency tests - ensure timely reporting to CAP and monitor all survey results.

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:

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 chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part) English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. A 7403(f)

Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification

Certification: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations

American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) ASCP - Board of Certification

OR ASCP - Board of Registry

American Medical Technologists

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. A 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

Loss of Certification

Management officials - in collaboration with HR Office staff - must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the MLT occupation who fail to maintain the required certification - which may also result in separation from employment

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: Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-05 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements

Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: None

Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-06 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: 1 - 2 years of laboratory - draw station - and phlebotomy experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The position primarily involves work performed in both sitting and standing positions with occasional requirements to lift objects - computer work and operating office equipment

The position requires the ability to process written and electronic information

The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients

The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing

The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients however standing and bending for a prolonged period of time - walking - lifting up to 20 pounds - kneeling - and some climbing of stairs is also required

The work requires manual dexterity - a large degree of concentration - and working at top speed for several hours at a time

The ability to distinguish colors and color intensity is required

The Medical Technician may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics with the workweek - depending on the clinic workload

Per VA handbook 5003/4 - Functional Statements are to be reviewed -

Duties

-Specimens received consist of all specimen types including blood - urine - stool - cultures - joint aspirations - other fluids - and other irretrievable specimens

The incumbent uses the VA computer system when processing specimens

-Receives - validates - processes and distributes specimens to the proper equipment for storage until transported to RMR Medical facility for testing

This includes assuring the proper specimen was collected - patient identification on the tube is correct and matches the accompanying requisition(s) and accessioning the specimens

-Maintain current knowledge in the changing field of ancillary testing sufficient to serve as the first line technical consultant and advisor to CBOC staff

-Required to evaluate the competency of the variety of individuals in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results - promptly - accurately - and proficiently

-Required to develop and recommend policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing (testing outside the main laboratory as mandated by Handbook 1106.1) equipment and instrumentation

-Assist with the development of technical bulletins - procedures - training materials and other program materials - which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing - result reporting - and proficiency testing

-Provides training to Medical Laboratory Technicians - Nursing staff - Medical Assistants - and Nursing Assistants in accessioning

-Accurately administers and collects specimens for employee drug screening program

Appropriately completes required chain of custody paperwork and packages for shipment to testing facility

These are considered legal specimens

-The incumbent will be required to achieve the training through the VA and sustain competencies allowing the technician the ability to perform EDS (Employee Drug Screens) as required by Human Resources

-Required to perform toxicology testing such as urine drug screens

The technician is required to identify the presence of quantity of drugs of abuse - therapeutic drugs - and toxic substances by operating toxicology instrumentation and performing manual methods for the performance of drug screens (UDS) using the proper preparation for pick-up and shipment of the appropriate lab

-Performs alcohol testing when a breathalyzer is ordered

The technician is required to learn procedural protocols - understand instrumentation needs including performing accuracy checks - and forwards results to provider in accordance with policy and procedures

-Required to perform Quantiferon testing

-Maintains a clean - safe and organized work environment including defrosting and cleaning freezers and refrigerators - cleaning the biological hood - emptying biohazard trash - and cleaning bench tops and centrifuges daily

-Follows proper infectious disease controls by following Standard Precautions and using correct Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)

The incumbent follows established safety policies and attends mandatory safety training

-Maintains quality results by running standards and controls - verifying equipment function through routine equipment maintenance and advanced trouble shooting

calibrating equipment utilizing approved testing procedures

monitoring quality control measures and protocols -Responsible for acceptance of ward order entry - or entry of the laboratory test into the computer

The technician follows computer requirements such as entering correct collection time

Obtains computer generated labels for specimens and aliquots

-Performs routine tasks associated with the computer operation - such as - but not limited to - handling paper and labels for printers - calling up data from the computer and reporting it to the clinical staff when requested by phone - and faxing results to health care providers

-Assists personnel throughout the Medical Center with questions about the use of the computer terminals and printers to obtain laboratory data and information

-Performs other duties necessary for the efficient operation of the laboratory such as speaking at New Veterans Orientation

The technician may be requested to present laboratory information including - but not limited to - available appointment times - walk-in times - and general hours of operation

-Serves as a technical resource by participating in staff training

answering questions of other professionals

in education opportunities

reading professional publications

maintaining personal networks

participating in professional organizations

-The incumbent rotates tours of duty and on the weekend and holiday schedules as assigned

-Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: 0700 - 1530 - Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 554-58681-A - 554-58682-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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