Medical Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Laredo (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

This VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System seeks a Medical Technician in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service to support the Laredo Outpatient Clinic, performing key duties in the clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology.

Candidates must meet basic requirements, have certification eligibility, and be US citizens with English proficiency. The full performance level is GS-06, with GS-05 to GS-06 range depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of MLT principles, practices and theories for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and QA procedures to manage reagents and supplies.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.
• Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to interpret laboratory results and apply complex written instructions.

Skills

MLT principles

Quality control

Teamwork

Medical terminology

Instrumentation troubleshooting

Education

Certification eligibility

Education requirements for certification

Job description

This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. The incumbent works in the Pathology and Laboratory Service and functions as a Medical Technician, performing key duties in the clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology. This position will service the Laredo Outpatient Clinic.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.

Certification

All 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. OR,
• 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.

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

In addition to the Basic Requirements, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for each grade level.

Medical Technician, GS-05

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None.

Medical Technician, 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:

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

Preferred Experience

• 1+ year of phlebotomy experience with all age groups.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of medical terminology along with experience using healthcare information systems.
• Experience in specimen collection and processing across multiple disciplines, including in-house testing and reference laboratory testing.
• Advanced experience in phlebotomy services, including blood culture collection, H. pylori breath testing, glucose tolerance testing, and chain-of-custody drug testing.
• Experience performing point of care testing, including quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with healthcare teams, external stakeholders, and patients while providing customer service and education.

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

Physical Requirements

Heavy Lifting (up to 40 lbs.); Heavy Carrying (up to 40 lbs.); Straight Pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1-2 hours); Reaching above shoulder (occasional); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (1 hour); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Sitting (up to 6 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted)