Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent federal employees of VISN8. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Medical Laboratory Technician at this level is responsible for receiving and accessioning specimens and is responsible for testing procedures that are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision.

Duties and tasks of the Medical Laboratory Technician include but are not to:
- Specimen Processing: Evaluates lab orders and specimens for acceptability, performs preservation/processing, and ensures prompt delivery to testing areas.
- Send-Out Logistics: Manages "Reference Laboratory" manifests, packages specimens for courier pickup, and monitors the status of results while ensuring compliance with etiologic agent transport laws.
- Advanced Testing & Analysis: Performs complex diagnostic tests, prepares reagents/standards, and calculates results while ensuring all data correlates with patient clinical history.
- Quality Control & Troubleshooting: Verifies instrument operation, identifies causes of discrepancies, and takes corrective action when quality control or proficiency testing results fall outside acceptable ranges.
- Regulatory Compliance: strictly adheres to Federal DOT and IATA regulations for the storage, packaging, and shipment of infectious substances and diagnostic specimens.
- Phlebotomy: Demonstrates proficiency in various blood collection techniques, including standard draws and therapeutic phlebotomy.
- Drug Screen Collection: Performs DHHS-mandated employee drug screens (split specimen method), maintains a strict chain of custody, and manages all associated legal documentation (20% of total duties).
- Validation & Reporting: Reviews laboratory data for validity, confirms abnormal results via additional testing, and reports findings through hospital information systems or via telephone.
- Equipment Maintenance: Monitors instrument function, performs standardization, and conducts simple repairs to ensure continuous laboratory operation.
- Administrative Support: Maintains accurate documentation and manages clerical filing related to laboratory procedures and results.
- Service Reliability: Upholds high standards for accuracy and professional clinical objectives, with a requirement to work weekends and holidays on a rotational basis.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 41169F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 dentification 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.

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:

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• 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:

• American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
  • ASCP, Board of Certification, OR,
  • ASCP, Board of Registry.
• American Medical Technologists.
• 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. For grade levels above full performance level, the candidate must be certified.

Loss of Certification. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the MLT occupation who fail to maintain the required certification, which may also result in separation from employment.

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

Grade Determinations Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), GS-07:Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level. Experience at the GS-06 grade level includes, but is not limited to: (1) use independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results; (2) perform day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care; (3) provide pre-analytic instructions to patients, VA staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens; (4) use processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and they accurately label and sort patient specimens; (5) 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; and (5) analyze laboratory findings and issue necessary reports and discuss results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures with supervisors, pathologists and other medical professionals as needed.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs i. - iv. and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) if MLTs are assigned advanced MLT duties:

• Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
• Skill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing.
• Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment.
• *Knowledge of laboratory information technology (IT) systems including troubleshooting systems issues, interface requirements between new instruments and existing IT infrastructure and laboratory IT test development.
• *Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with continuing education and employee orientation to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements.
• *Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards.
• *Ability to assist with quality management activities in the laboratory, including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP, conducting quality improvement activities and communicating quality management results.

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).

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS07.

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

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.