Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent employees of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and its satellites, the Department of Veterans Affairs, other federal agencies, and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Medical Laboratory Technician duties include but not limited to:

Advanced Duties (15%) - The work performed by the technician requires professional knowledge and competence in the field of clinical laboratory technology. They must be able to work independently and be able to interpret and apply complex written instructions from a variety of sources (i.e. Operating procedures, CLSI documents, VA directives, and accrediting agency requirements) to determine the correct course of action.

Testing (40%) - independently performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens.

Specimen Collection and Processing (25%) -Verifies identity of patient and collects blood specimens with minimal discomfort to the patient using standard phlebotomy techniques. Incumbent performs both venipuncture and capillary collections utilizing vacutainer, syringe, butterfly, or finger stick devices. Collects blood from both inpatients and outpatients. Labels samples accurately, centrifuges, and aliquots samples as needed. Controls physical conditions and observes any time factors necessary to ensure the physiological state of the specimen is maintained throughout the pre-analytical to post analytical stages.

Performs Employee Drug Screens (15%) - responsible for the proper collection and documentation of employee
drug screening, as mandated by employee health.

Coordinates dispatch and pick up for intra-laboratory transporting of specimens (5%) - communicates with the satellite laboratories to ensure prompt pickup and delivery at a prescribed location and time during the regular tour of duty. Uses vans or passenger vehicles supplied by VA transportation department to shuttle between satellite laboratories and the Main Laboratory in Little Rock.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm including holidays. Subject to change based on needs of the facility.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): not authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00739F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Must be able to independently operate Government Vehicle.
• Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV during the pre-employment process.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the appropriate Medical Laboratory Technician certifications below.
  • American Society of Clinical Pathology, Board of Certification ASCP BOC
  • American Society of Clinical Pathology, Board of Registry ASCP BOR
  • American Medical Technologists AMT
  • American Association of Bioanalysts AAB

Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if the have a current

Grade Determinations: Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-7.

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-6 next lower grade level is required for all GS-7 assignments.

Credible experience includes knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts, and theories; knowledge of lab quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems; maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation, work as a team member, use technical judgement to interpret lab results; apply complex written laboratory instructions; and consulting with other members of the health care team, patients, and external customers.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following GS-7 Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of concepts, principals, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
2. Skill in applying new scientific/ technical developments and theories to laboratory testing.
3. Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes.
4. Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment.

Preferred Experience: Experience with moderate and high complexity laboratory testing, reference testing, and phlebotomy.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 07

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials. Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors. Work is performed in a laboratory setting; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:1st Area of Consideration - current permanent CAVHS employees including satellites;2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Administration employees;3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent Federal employees of other Agencies;4th Area of Consideration - US Citizens.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Professional Certification
• Transcript

Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veterans' preference in accordance with OCHCO Bulletin dated 9/25/2025.

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