Medical Technician Job in Mayaguez, PR

Vacancy No. CBTC-12698385-25-MR Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $40,332.00 to $58,445.00 Grade 5 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Part-time
Open Date 2/19/2025 Close Date 2/28/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Mayaguez, PR


Summary

Medical Laboratory Technician is responsible for the provision of the overall support at the Mayaguez community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). This position will cover services in Mayaguez VA facility and travel is not required to VACHS or other CBOC's unless training is required.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Duties

Major duties but are not limited to:

Performing blood and body fluids collection for a wide range of diagnostic laboratory tests in a courteous manner making the patient feel as comfortable as possible, and labeling specimens for the laboratory.
Utilizing VA Healthcare System such as VISTA and CPRS to accurately perform work such as reviewing and accepting lab orders, gathering information required to complete assigned duties, and researching and resolving problems.
Ensuring and verify the correct labeling of specimens and patient identification following Laboratory National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG).
Orders and maintains adequate inventory of supplies.
Monitoring and maintains the phlebotomy station area as well the working station supplies area available with sufficient materials for the required services and assists in keeping inventory up to date.
Actively participates in training and mentoring of new employees and students.
Completes high volumes of work keeping a rapid pace without sacrificing accuracy.
Verifying the patient as the individual denoted on the request labels using two approved forms of identification and assures all tubes are labeled as standard of operating procedures (SOP).Adheres to safety, infection control, and standard precautions always while drawing blood, handle specimens or performing testing.
Maintaining a well-organized and clean work area. Blood samples are collected with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising or requiring redrawn specimens.
Performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens, xylose and lactose tolerance tests, semen analysis collections, urine cytology collection, stool collections for ova and parasites, stool culture, occult blood, sterile mid-stream urine collections, among others, inform patient or patient relative in procedure to be followed prior to, during and after the test to obtain the specimens at the required time.
Accessions send out samples, collects, and preserves specimens ensuring the physiologic properties of the specimens are maintained.
Preserve all specimens according to method requirements. Consulting with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in cases where specimens are inadequate for testing.
Adheres to safety, infection control, and standard precautions always while drawing blood, handle specimens or performing testing.
Maintaining a well-organized and clean work area. Blood samples are collected with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising or requiring redrawn specimens.
Performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens, xylose and lactose tolerance tests, semen analysis collections, urine cytology collection, stool collections for ova and parasites, stool culture, occult blood, sterile mid-stream urine collections, among others, inform patient or patient relative in procedure to be followed prior to, during and after the test to obtain the specimens at the required time.
Accessions send out samples, collects, and preserves specimens ensuring the physiologic properties of the specimens are maintained. Preserve all specimens according to method requirements.
Consulting with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in cases where specimens are inadequate for testing.
Specimen preparation for pick up by Reference Laboratory. Responsible for the evaluation, preservation, packaging and shipping of samples, follow up and solving problems with specimens and/or results.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, Rotating shifts that may include schedule: 6:30am-10:30am; 7:00am-11:00am; 7:30am-11:30am; 8:00am-12:00pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61866F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Requirements

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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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

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. American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) ASCP, Board of Certification. OR 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. § 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend.
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:
Medical Laboratory Technician, 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

Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-06. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level.
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

Preferred Experience: Must demonstrate knowledge of MLT principles and practices. Should demonstrate the compliance with educational requirements to apply for the required certification if he/she does not possess it

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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, 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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Required Documents

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

  • Resume, required. - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title, Grade Level (for Federal positions), Duties (be as detailed as possible and ensure they demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position Month & Year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
  • Copy of certification: Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) ,ASCP, Board of Certification or American Medical Technologists or American Association of Bioanalysts.
  • If current or former federal employee, provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action".
  • Copy of the transcript.





The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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)
  • License
  • Copy of certification: Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) ,ASCP, Board of Certification or American Medical Technologists or American Association of Bioanalysts.
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12698385.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Mireya Rodriguez-Perez
Address
San Juan VA Medical Center
10 Calle Casia
San Juan, PR 00921
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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