Medical Laboratory Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government organization is seeking a Medical Technician to perform diverse laboratory tasks including sample collection and reporting results. The role requires relevant MLT certification and proficiency in English. Candidates should have strong technical judgment and teamwork skills, essential for success in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Proficiency in English required.
• Must hold MLT certification from authorized organizations.

Responsibilities

• Perform full range of laboratory duties from sample collection to reporting.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory equipment.
• Work collaboratively in a team to manage laboratory workflows.

Skills

Knowledge of MLT principles

Laboratory quality control

Technical judgment

Teamwork in lab settings

Ability to interpret results

Education

Certification as an MLT

Job description

Position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. The Medical Technician will use judgement to perform a full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results.
Duties

Requirements

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: . 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).
• Education. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.
• 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).
• 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)
      • i ASCP, Board of Certification. OR
      • ii ASCP, Board of Registry.
    • (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.
• (3) 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.

Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in this qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• (2) Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before being promoted to those higher grade levels.
• (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
• (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment.

• 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 4, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Medical Laboratory Technician
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:
i Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work.
ii Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems.
iii Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.
iv Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments.
v Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results.
vi Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions.
vii Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers.

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: Intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 2 hours); intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to distinguish basic colors; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted)and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations; ability to wear required to personal protective equipment as required.