Medical Laboratory Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Technician is assigned to P&LMS and performs waived, moderate, and complex testing on biological specimens. The role is a laboratory generalist responsible for testing in Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Urinalysis, and Phlebotomy. The position performs laboratory examinations of blood, urine, body fluids, and other specimens, and supports reliable testing through quality control, equipment troubleshooting, result review, inventory management, and adherence to laboratory procedures and safety requirements.

The technician may instruct MLT and phlebotomy students and new employees in approved techniques. The role also contributes to developing testing procedures, solving testing problems, and improving laboratory operations. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., with rotating holidays. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-6; selection may be at GS-5 or GS-6.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.
• Currently possess an appropriate MLT certification from ASCP Board of Certification, ASCP Board of Registry, American Medical Technologists, or the American Association of Bioanalysts.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-6, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in addition to the basic requirements.
• For GS-6, demonstrate knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts, and theories for sound independent work.
• For GS-6, demonstrate knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures for managing reagents and supply inventories using document-control systems.
• For GS-6, demonstrate the ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
• For GS-6, demonstrate the ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to complete assignments effectively.
• For GS-6, demonstrate technical judgment in interpreting laboratory results.
• For GS-6, demonstrate the ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions.
• For GS-6, demonstrate the ability to consult with health-care team members, patients, and external customers.
• Comply with pre-employment screening and onboarding conditions, including applicable urinalysis, background/security investigation, and identification requirements.
• Register with Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Submit a transcript if education is used to meet qualification requirements; foreign education must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician.

Responsibilities

• Perform a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids, and other specimens.
• Perform routine moderate- and complex-complexity testing across clinical laboratory areas.
• Package laboratory specimens for pickup and shipment to reference laboratories.
• Instruct medical laboratory technician and phlebotomy students, as well as new employees, in approved laboratory techniques when assigned.
• Perform and evaluate quality control and proficiency testing samples according to laboratory procedures and accrediting agency requirements.
• Stock laboratory areas, maintain inventories, and notify appropriate personnel when supplies need to be ordered.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area in accordance with agency and accreditation requirements.
• Record laboratory data on charts, logs, or computerized forms.
• Recognize indicators of malfunction or conditions that could cause erroneous results, troubleshoot problems, and implement corrections or alternative approaches in accordance with accepted practices and protocols.
• Monitor quality control and record-keeping systems, troubleshoot instruments, and ensure timely and thorough evaluation of data.
• Help establish and develop laboratory testing and examination procedures; solve testing problems and perform newer or more complex tests.
• Participate in process improvement, data-driven decision-making, and team-driven changes to improve operations.
• Enter laboratory results into the laboratory computer system and edit and verify recorded results.
• Plan and carry out testing procedures in multiple laboratory areas or sections, independently handling problems and deviations within established protocols and accepted laboratory practices.
• Comply with professional standards and accrediting-body regulations.
• Evaluate data validity in relation to the test system and assay procedures; correlate quantitative data with patient data, verify results, perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal results, and recognize abnormal results.
• Follow standard precautions, isolation procedures, infection-control policies, and other safety regulations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed