Supervisory Medical Laboratory Technician (Phlebotomy)

Veterans Health Administration • Syracuse, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is assigned to the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at Syracuse VA Medical Center. The incumbent functions as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), performing the full range of supervisory duties for the laboratory and rotating with other generalist technicians through all areas of the clinical laboratory. Supervisory duties are performed at least 25% of the time. The technician may be assigned to one primary area based on laboratory needs.

The position includes phlebotomy and central accessioning duties, such as receiving specimens, delivering specimens to other laboratory departments, aliquoting specimens, and other tasks as needed. The technician performs routine moderate and complex testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids, and other specimens in Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Chemistry, Immunology, Blood Bank, and Microbiology. The role also includes packaging specimens for shipment to reference laboratories, instructing colleagues and students in approved laboratory techniques, and collecting blood and urine specimens from patients.

The incumbent identifies patients, draws blood, and assembles and uses collection equipment according to test or procedure requirements. Work is carried out under established protocols and accepted laboratory practices. The department supervisor sets assignment parameters, deadlines, and priorities, provides guidance on unusual problems, and reviews work reports for technical soundness and conformity with policy and requirements. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the position may also require off-hours, weekend, and holiday work when priorities demonstrate a need.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, with limited statutory exceptions for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Education meeting the applicable requirements for MLT certification.
• Current MLT certification from ASCP Board of Certification, ASCP Board of Registry, American Medical Technologists, or American Association of Bioanalysts. Non-certified applicants who meet certification eligibility requirements may receive a temporary graduate MLT appointment for up to two years, without extension; certification is required for grades above the full performance level.
• One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-07.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills to communicate effectively with employees and customers.
• Ability to develop training plans and coordinate staff development.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including work assignment, performance evaluations, staff selection, and recommendations for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve complex and difficult problems.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and applicable background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required application and onboarding processes and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Work may include off-hours, weekends, and holidays when operational priorities require.

Responsibilities

• Supervise laboratory technicians, laboratory assistants, phlebotomists, and other appropriate personnel.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements and participate in preparation for regulatory inspections.
• Establish and monitor the quality of pre-analytical processes as part of the laboratory quality management program, and initiate corrective action.
• Develop policies and procedures; manage document control; and develop performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements.
• Provide professional and administrative management of an assigned area, including staff orientation and competency assessment.
• Maintain effective interdepartmental relations to support medical center goals.
• Rotate through clinical laboratory areas and perform moderate and complex testing of blood, urine, body fluids, and other specimens, including Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Chemistry, Immunology, Blood Bank, and Microbiology.
• Perform phlebotomy and central accessioning duties, including receiving, delivering, and aliquoting specimens.
• Package specimens for pickup and shipment to reference laboratories.
• Instruct medical technologists, medical technicians, students, and new employees in approved laboratory techniques as assigned.
• Collect blood and urine specimens; identify patients and draw blood for analysis and other medical purposes.
• Assemble and use appropriate blood collection equipment and supplies according to test and procedure requirements.
• Carry out assigned procedures, handle problems, and correct errors in accordance with established protocols and accepted laboratory practices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.
• 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 request and 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 income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions 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: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed