Medical Laboratory Technician

Job Summary

This position is located in the Procurement and Distribution Section of the Clinical Laboratory with the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS).

The Medical Technician performs both routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology in support of a medical laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Using microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, and instruments to perform laboratory tests and analyze body fluids and other substances to determine the presence or absence of disease or other abnormal conditions;
• Receiving, collecting, sorting, recording, storing and/or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing/diagnostic procedures can be performed;
• Obtaining additional data or information from healthcare providers as needed;
• Maintaining the laboratory and equipment in a clean and safe condition;
• Calibrating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation and equipment;
• Monitoring specimens, equipment, and laboratory for acceptability;
• Ensuring that sufficient supply of reagents, standards, and controls, are available at all times;
• Preparing reagents, controls, etc.;
• Recommending changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety;
• Establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintaining appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules;
• Assisting in training personnel and/or students in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety;
• Functioning as a point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to the supervisory to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies;
• Accepting/documenting incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system;
• Processing specimens and selecting appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimens, patient information, and laboratory resources;
• Reporting all specimen problems according to established guidelines;
• Performing a variety of laboratory tests, both new and established that involve very fine distinctions in analytical methods;
• Entering test results into hospital computer system, verifying the accuracy, completeness, and validity;
• Evaluating the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures;
• Correlating and integrating information and performing additional testing to confirm abnormal results as per policies and procedures;
• Participating in quality assurance activities;
• Performing related duties as required.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 6:45 am to 3:30 pm

Telework

Not Authorized

Virtual

This is not a virtual/remote position

Position Description/PD#

Medical Technician / PD A Relocation/

Recruitment Incentives

Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

You may be required to serve a probationary period

Subject to background/security investigation

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/15/2024.

Individual Occupational Requirements:

Specialized Experience. For positions at GS-4 and above: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled.

OR Education and Training. For GS-4: Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of a full-time training course of approximately a year's duration in a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school that included instruction in chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology (including serology) and that, in addition, included supervised laboratory practice incident to the diagnostic process and the treatment of patients; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled.

AND You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-4 General and

Specialized Experience:

Six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience.

General Experience is defined as any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Examples of Specialized Experience includes knowledge of the processes, methods and procedures associated with lab testing; Knowledge and skills to confer with patients and staff concerning testing requirements and to provide advice and assistance on proper collection of processing questions; Knowledge of instructional techniques and practices sufficient to instruct students at all levels to apply principles and practical applications used in collection, processing, distribution and shipping of lab specimens; and, Knowledge of phlebotomy techniques.

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.

(Transcript Required)
OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond one year of high school with courses related to the occupation.

(Transcript Required) This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job).

Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factor for this position is:
Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

Computer Skills Customer Service Patient Care Quality Assurance Specimen Collection Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note:
A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 40 pounds.

In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or good color vision.

The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions.

Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear. Work areas must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education

For further information, visit:
Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation)

Leave:

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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