Medical Laboratory Technician

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This is a PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT and is open All US Citizens.

This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants in USA Staffing will be qualified based on the resume submitted and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager every 1-2 weeks until the announcement is closed, cancelled, or filled.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major Duties Include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens. Performs routine laboratory testing (both moderate and complex testing) in all areas of the clinical laboratory.
• Packages laboratory specimens for pick up and shipment to reference laboratories. Instructs medical laboratory technician and phlebotomy students as well as new employees in approved laboratory techniques as assigned.
• Performs and evaluates quality control and proficiency testing samples according to laboratory standard operating procedures and accrediting agency requirements.
• Ensures that laboratory areas are stocked, maintains appropriate inventories, and notifies appropriate personnel when supplies need to be ordered. Maintains work area in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements.
• Records laboratory data on charts, logs or computerized forms.
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction or conditions which could cause erroneous results; locates and implements corrections; recognizes and defines testing problems and evaluates methods for solution; evaluates, guides, or implements possible alternative approaches to standard methods; utilizes advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance; monitors the quality control system including record keeping systems and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of test results and trouble shoots instruments; ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data.
• Plays a role in establishing and developing the testing and examination procedures carried out in the laboratory; solves testing problems, suggests solutions to testing problems, and performs newer/more complex tests and examinations; participates in process improvement, data driven decision making, and team driven change to continuously improve operations; is responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system; plans and carries out the successive steps of testing procedures in multiple areas/Sections, and independently handles problems and deviations in the work assignment in accordance with established protocols, previous training, or accepted laboratory practices.
• Complies with all professional standards and regulation of accrediting bodies.
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures; correlates quantitative data with patient data, to verify results; performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and recognizes abnormal results.
• Follows standard precautions, isolation procedures, infection control policies and other safety regulations.
• Specimen Collection and Processing

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 2:30pm - 11pm and rotating holidays
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 #: 000000
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.
• 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.

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

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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.

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. 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.
  • (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) i ASCP, Board of Certification. OR ii ASCP, Board of Registry.
  • (b) American Medical Technologists. OR
  • (c) American Association of Bioanalysts.
• English Language Proficiency. MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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).

Grade Determinations:

GS-05:Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

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:

1. Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work.
2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems.
3. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.
4. Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments.
5. Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results.
6. Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions.
7. Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers.

Preferred Experience: 1-year as an MLT

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

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)
• *Highly Recommended* - Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement.
• Other (2)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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