Medical Technician

Veterans Health Administration

Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 49,000 - 71,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Childcare Subsidy

Federal pension/401K

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration in Chicago, IL is hiring Medical Laboratory Technicians to perform routine testing, QC, and instrument maintenance in a clinical laboratory setting.

This full- and part-time opportunity offers diverse microbiology, chemistry, and hematology duties, competitive federal pay, generous leave, and federal benefits.

Qualifications

Must be a certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or eligible for federal employment.
Experience with CLIA-waived testing and phlebotomy is preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs routine laboratory testing and quality control.
Maintains and calibrates laboratory equipment and documents results.
Recognizes critical data and communicates promptly with physicians and nursing staff.
Performs phlebotomy and handles specimen processing as required.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The two Medical Laboratory Technician positions are located at the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs, located at 820 S Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60612.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Requirements & 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 $49067 – $71103/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-05.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.