Medical Technician

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Open to current employees of the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs, and the public.

A Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. This includes routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MLT performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. The MLT recognizes 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. The MLT is responsible for testing procedures that are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These duties require exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with close technical 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.

Major Duties:

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. In addition, recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles under immediate or general supervision.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements under immediate or general supervision.
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction with immediate or general supervision.
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement under immediate or general supervision.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing bio-safety and bio-security in the workplace under immediate or general supervision.
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems and presents solutions with immediate or general supervision.
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results under immediate or general supervision.
• Assists in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/ continuing education program.
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance, using underlying principles of laboratory testing.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines with minimal assistance.
• Performs competency assessments and completes annual training needs as part of continuing education.
• Performs Phlebotomy duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday - Friday 9:00AM-5:30PM; AND Part Time, Monday- Friday 5:30AM-8:30AM with rotating weekends and 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 #: 10067F; 10066F
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 evaluation/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.

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

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.
• 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).
• 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. (COPY OF CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED).
  • American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
    • ASCP, Board of Certification OR,
    • ASCP, Board of Registry
  • American Medical Technologists OR,
  • American Association of Bioanalysts
• Certification 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. For grade levels above full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 4.c.(1) above.

Grade Determinations:

GS 05

• Experience: . None beyond the basic requirements.

GS 06

• Experience:
  • In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05), which is directly related to the position to be filled.
• Your experience must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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: Generalist MLT with 1+ year Phlebotomy Experience.

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

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:

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Transcript

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)
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps