Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician
What you'd do
This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN-6), Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC and is aligned under the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements.
Major duties
The duties and responsibilities of the Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) include but are not limited to: Performs specialized, high-complexity tasks in the areas advanced blood banking, molecular microbiology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in addition to generalist testing in hematology, chemistry, urinalysis and coagulation. Serves as a primary operator for specified equipment and assumes all primary operator responsibilities and duties required to maintain equipment in accordance with accreditation requirements. Evaluates the suitability of blood and body fluid specimens for analysis, requests new specimens if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Documents and maintains all quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs. Performs instrument to instrument correlations, new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results. Generates laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system (LIS). Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Tracks down "missing" tubes, samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation. Performs proficiency surveys, linearity studies and other intra laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency. Participates in quality management and performance improvement activities by performing high complex testing for validation studies, collecting and reporting data, and recording workload statistics. Assists the Supervisors in ensuring proper preparation for inspections and accreditation by the applicable accrediting agencies: i.e., American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Assists in the maintenance and ordering of inventory and supplies required for efficient operation. Performs phlebotomy and collects samples in accordance with laboratory procedures. Maintains effective written and oral communication with all VA personnel, medical staff, patients, and the public. Demonstrates sound judgment and wise decision-making skills through testing and reporting of laboratory results. Assists in special projects, delegated assignments, and any other related duties, as assigned. Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): NOT Authorized
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(c). Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification. Graduates of foreign programs are considered to meet the basic education requirement if they have a current certification as described below. Certification: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) granted by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP Board of Certification or ASCP Board of Registry), American Medical Technologists, or American Association of Bioanalysts. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Grade Determinations: To qualify at the GS-7, in addition to the basic requirements for employment, applicants must also possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) and demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Skill in applying new scientific/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/advanced complex laboratory equipment. Applicants 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). 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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