Medical Laboratory Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fox Chapel (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician for the Core Laboratory and Phlebotomy sections within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University Drive facility.

Applicants pending certification may be tentatively selected; full qualifications include U.S. citizenship, MLT certification, and English proficiency. Grades GS-05 to GS-06 with grandfathering provisions apply.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship as required by VA policy.
• Education meeting certification requirements for MLT.
• Certification from ASCP/AMT/ABSA or eligible for temporary appointment.
• Foreign education considered if certification is present.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.

Skills

MLT principles

Team collaboration

Technical judgment

Education

MLT Certification requirements

Job description

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician for the Core Laboratory and Phlebotomy sections within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. This position is located at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University Drive facility.

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.
  • (1) Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations. (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP): ASCP, Board of Certification Or ASCP, Board of Registry; OR(b) American Medical Technologists Or (c) American Association of Bioanalysts.
  • (2) 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.
• Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a current certification as described in subparagraph 4.c.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
• 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 Medical Laboratory Technician:

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements

GS-06 Medical Laboratory Technician:

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.

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:

Clinical laboratory or reference laboratory technical experience preferred.

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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06.