Medical Laboratory Technician

Veterans Health Administration•Garner, NC

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Garner VA in Garner, North Carolina, is recruiting a full-time Medical Laboratory Technician. Advanced MLTs perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory results. They provide technical oversight and independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty, including specialized testing across laboratory disciplines such as microbiology, chemistry, coagulation, hematology, immunohematology (blood bank), parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and ancillary testing. The position involves advanced operation, training, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments, as well as the full range of laboratory duties from specimen collection through evaluation and communication of results. The Advanced MLT plans and carries out procedures needed to complete assigned work, handling problems and correcting errors under established protocols or accepted laboratory practices. The position is directly accountable to the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, who sets assignment parameters, deadlines, and priorities and reviews work for technical soundness and compliance with policy. Work schedule: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, virtual work, and relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
Current Medical Laboratory Technician certification from ASCP Board of Certification, ASCP Board of Registry, American Medical Technologists, or American Association of Bioanalysts.
One year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level for the Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-07 position.
Knowledge of medical laboratory technology concepts, principles, and methodology, as well as regulatory, accrediting-agency, and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
Skill applying new scientific and technical developments and theories to laboratory testing.
Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes.
Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific or advanced complex laboratory equipment.
Knowledge of laboratory IT systems, including troubleshooting system issues, instrument-interface requirements, and laboratory IT test development.
Ability to communicate safety regulations and guidelines, including CAP, Joint Commission, and OSHA requirements, and support staff compliance through continuing education and employee orientation.
Ability to plan and administer an ongoing laboratory continuing-education program to meet accreditation standards.
Ability to assist with quality-management activities, including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP, conducting quality-improvement activities, and communicating results.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and required background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to pre-employment drug testing and onboarding requirements.
Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program or obtain a qualifying medical or religious exemption.
Physical capabilities and attributes include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; ability to work effectively in stressful situations and adjust priorities to stakeholder needs.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.

Responsibilities

Perform and evaluate complex or specialized laboratory testing in disciplines including microbiology, chemistry, coagulation, hematology, blood bank, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and ancillary testing.
Collect specimens and perform the full range of laboratory work through evaluation and communication of test results.
Process specimens through centrifugation, aliquoting, storage, and packaging while considering stability factors; accurately label and sort patient specimens.
Coordinate with clinical departments on order entry and accessioning, correcting duplicate or erroneous entries.
Perform phlebotomy using established venipuncture techniques and universal precautions.
Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation to provide precise, timely, and accurate results from blood, urine, tissue, and other body-fluid samples.
Perform and document quality-control activities, validate results, take corrective action when required, and report testing issues to the supervisor or Laboratory Manager as appropriate.
Troubleshoot and resolve problems with laboratory instruments and processes.
Assist with orientation and training of new employees and students and contribute to laboratory in-service and continuing-education programs.
Assist with laboratory quality-management activities, including quality monitoring, evaluation, and improvement in accordance with applicable standards.