Medical Laboratory Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Federal benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician in Sioux Falls, SD.

The incumbent will perform waived, moderate, and complex tests across Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Urinalysis and Phlebotomy, serving as a laboratory generalist. Responsibilities include routine testing, quality control, data entry, instrument troubleshooting, and contributing to process improvements.

Qualifications

• Transcript must be submitted with your application.
• Education or degrees from accredited institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

Responsibilities

• Performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens.
• Performs routine testing (moderate and complex) in all areas of the clinical laboratory.
• Packages specimens for pickup and shipment to reference laboratories and instructs students/new employees in approved techniques.
• Maintains quality control and proficiency testing according to SOPs and accrediting requirements; ensures proper inventory and safe work areas.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Phlebotomy

Quality control

Mentoring/training

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Medical Laboratory Technician position is assigned to P&LMS. This position performs a variety of waived, moderate, and complex tests on biological specimens. The MLT serves as a generalist in the laboratory with responsibility for performing testing in areas of Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Urinalysis and Phlebotomy.

Key Responsibilities

Performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens.

Performs routine laboratory testing (both moderate and complex testing) in all areas of the clinical laboratory. Packages laboratory specimens for pick up and shipment to reference laboratories. Instructs medical laboratory technician and phlebotomy students as well as new employees in approved laboratory techniques as assigned.

Performs and evaluates quality control and proficiency testing samples according to laboratory standard operating procedures and accrediting agency requirements. Ensures that laboratory areas are stocked, maintains appropriate inventories, and notifies appropriate personnel when supplies need to be ordered. Maintains work area in a clean and safe condition according to agency or accreditation requirements. Records laboratory data on charts, logs or computerized forms.

Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction or conditions which could cause erroneous results; locates and implements corrections; recognizes and defines testing problems and evaluates methods for solution; evaluates, guides, or implements possible alternative approaches to standard methods; utilizes advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance; monitors the quality control system including record keeping systems and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of test results and trouble shoots instruments; ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data.

Plays a role in establishing and developing the testing and examination procedures carried out in the laboratory; solves testing problems, suggests solutions to testing problems, and performs newer/more complex tests and examinations; participates in process improvement, data driven decision making, and team driven change to continuously improve operations; is responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system; plans and carries out the successive steps of testing procedures in multiple areas/Sections, and independently handles problems and deviations in the work assignment in accordance with established protocols, previous training, or accepted laboratory practices.

Complies with all professional standards and regulation of accrediting bodies. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures; correlates quantitative data with patient data, to verify results; performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and recognizes abnormal results. Follows standard precautions, isolation procedures, infection control policies and other safety regulations.

Specimen Collection and Processing Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 2:30pm - 11pm and rotating 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $44595 – $64623/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2027-01-27.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.