Medical Laboratory Technician

At the full performance level - MLTs use independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. MLTs carry out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision to ensure the accuracy of testing and the quality of proper patient care. This position falls within Primary Care Clinics and rural CBOCs Pathology and Laboratory at the ECHCS VA Health Care System.

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.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. A 7403(f)
• Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification
• Certification: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations
• American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) i ASCP - Board of Certification
• ASCP - Board of Registry
• American Medical Technologists
• OR American Association of Bioanalysts
• Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may receive a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed two years as a graduate MLT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. A 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend
• 3 For grade levels above full performance level - the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 4.c.(1) above
• Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a current certification as described in subparagraph 4.c
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in this qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before being promoted to those higher grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment
• Grade Determinations: GS-05:Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment: This is an entry-level developmental MLT position
• MLTs will typically receive guidance from experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision
• MLTs at this level perform testing in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing - phlebotomy - hematology - immunohematology - clinical chemistry - immunology - toxicology - urinalysis - referral laboratory - microbiology and specimen processing
• MLTs recognize data with life-threatening (critical) implications and understand the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patient's physician and/or nursing staff
• GS-06:Experience: In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of MLT principles - practices - concepts and theories for sound independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems
• Ability to maintain - troubleshoot and repair instrumentation
• Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments
• Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results
• Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions
• Ability to consult with other members of the health care team - patients and external customers
• Assignment: At the full performance level - MLTs use independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory - from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results
• MLTs perform day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care
• This includes providing pre-analytic instructions to patients - VA staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens
• MLTs use processing techniques such as centrifugation - aliquoting - storage and packaging (considering stability factors) - and they accurately label and sort patient specimens
• MLTs operate and maintain all instrumentation in assigned areas to deliver precise - timely and accurate laboratory results when analyzing body fluids such as blood - urine and tissue samples
• MLTs at this level analyze laboratory findings and issue necessary reports
• The results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures are discussed with supervisors - pathologists and other medical professionals as needed
• Preferred Experience: 1-2 years of laboratory - draw station - phlebotomy experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 05 to 06
• Physical Requirements: The position primarily involves work performed in both sitting and standing positions with occasional requirements to lift objects - computer work and operating office equipment
• The position requires the ability to process written and electronic information
• The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients
• The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing
• The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients however standing and bending for a prolonged period of time - walking - lifting up to 20 pounds - kneeling - and some climbing of stairs is also required
• The work requires manual dexterity - a large degree of concentration - and working at top speed for several hours at a time
• The ability to distinguish colors and color intensity is required
• The Medical Technician may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics with the workweek - depending on the clinic workload.

• Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: MLTs at this level perform elementary testing in one or more of the following areas Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CUA) waived testing - phlebotomy - hematology - immunohematology - clinical chemistry - immunology - toxicology - urinalysis - referral laboratory - microbiology and specimen processing
• MLTs recognize data with life threatening (critical) implications and understand the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patients' physician and/or nursing staff
• Specimens received consist of all specimen types including blood - urine - stool - cultures - joint aspirations - other fluids - and other irretrievable specimens
• The incumbent uses the VA computer system when processing specimens
• Samples are accepted into the computer for testing or the order is removed from the computer if samples are not collected
• Protects the security of the computer system and maintains patient confidentiality
• The incumbent receives - validates - processes and distributes specimens to the proper equipment for storage until transported to RMR Medical facility for testing
• This includes assuring the proper specimen was collected - patient identification on the tube is correct and matches the accompanying requisition(s) and accessioning the specimens
• Ensures all pre-analytical testing requirements are met by ensuring centrifugation at the appropriate time and rpm setting - appropriate pre-treatment of specimen if required (i.e
• appropriate clotting time at the required temperature for the individual test) - accurately labels aliquot tubes and stores at the appropriate temperature protecting from light if required or distributes to the proper section for testing
• If there is a question regarding the testing - incumbent consults with the provider
• nurse - pathologist or appropriate Medical Technologist to ensure the appropriate testing is performed on the appropriate sample
• The incumbent should maintain current knowledge in the changing field of ancillary testing sufficient to serve as the first line technical consultant and advisor to CBOC staff
• The incumbent may be requested to develop or recommend policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by VHA)
• The Medical Technician must have a thorough knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements - including Joint Commission and the College of American Pathology
• The Medical Technician is required to evaluate the competency of the variety of individuals (nurses - physician - patients) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results - promptly - accurately - and proficiently
• Also included would be the ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines
• Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program
• The Medical Technician is required to develop and recommend policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing (testing outside the main laboratory as mandated by Handbook 1106.1) equipment and instrumentation
• Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies
• The Medical Technician is required to consult with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods
• Also - the incumbent is required to create - apply and monitor reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives within the program
• The Medical Technician is required to assist with the development of technical bulletins - procedures - training materials and other program materials - which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing - result reporting - and proficiency testing
• Could be required to develop and implement corrective action when deficiencies are identified
• The incumbent provides training to Medical Laboratory Technicians - Nursing staff - Medical Assistants - and Nursing Assistants in accessioning
• The incumbent accurately administers and collects specimens for employee drug screening program
• Appropriately completes required chain of custody paperwork and packages for shipment to testing facility
• These are considered legal specimens
• The incumbent will be required to achieve the training through the VA and sustain competencies allowing the technician the ability to perform EDS (Employee Drug Screens) as required by Human Resources
• Using the proper chain of custody and ensuring proper preparation for pick-up and shipment to the appropriate lab will be essential for the medical technician
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 0730-1600 - M-F Functional Statement #: 58682A