This position falls within Pathology and Laboratory at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center and at this level has a higher-level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently. The incumbent serves as Medical Laboratory Technician performing a wide variety of laboratory tests on blood, urine and other body fluids of the Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service Line.
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. 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). Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification. Certification: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations. American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) i ASCP, Board of Certification. ASCP, Board of Registry. American Medical Technologists. OR American Association of Bioanalysts. 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: Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-07: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. Assignment-specific KSAs are designated with an asterisk (*) and are only required if that task is required of the position, as indicated below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs 1-4 and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisks if MLTs are assigned advanced MLT duties: Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Skill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes. Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment. *Knowledge of laboratory information technology (IT) systems including troubleshooting systems issues, interface requirements between new instruments and existing IT infrastructure and laboratory IT test development. *Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with continuing education and employee orientation to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements. *Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. *Ability to assist with quality management activities in the laboratory, including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP, conducting quality improvement activities and communicating quality management results. Assignments: MLTs at this level have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. They are responsible for performing difficult specialized tasks including, but not limited to, advanced blood banking (antibody titers, elutions), advanced microbiology (Mycobacterium (Acid Fast Bacillus) Identification and Sensitivities, Mycology Identification, Virology, Anaerobic Culture, Polymerase Chain Reaction testing), molecular testing, high complexity testing, recording workload statistics, quality management projects and obtaining data for validation studies. Advanced MLTs may be expected to independently operate the full range of laboratory functions at remote sites. Their duties consist of advanced operation, training and comprehensive troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and resolving any problems. MLTs at this level may act as key operators for specific instrumentation. Advanced duties may also include one or more of the tasks identified below. When these duties are required, advanced MLTs must also demonstrate corresponding KSA(s) as identified by the asterisk(s) below. *Laboratory Information Management: Carry out day-to-day operations related to laboratory information systems/computer use and system maintenance. (KSA 5) *Safety Coordination: Oversee safe handling of specimens, chemicals and equipment by all staff and ensure compliance with safety regulations. (KSA 6) *Laboratory Education: Plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements. (KSA 7) *Quality Management: Coordinate quality management activities within the laboratory and ensure compliance with required standards of quality. (KSA 8) Preferred Experience: Hospital experience 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). 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-07. Physical Requirements: The position primarily involves work performed in both sitting and standing positions with occasional requirements to lift objects, computer work and operating office equipment. The position requires the ability to process written and electronic information. The work requires the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally distressed patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity due to the fine skills of some of the point of care lab testing. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients however standing and bending for a prolonged period of time, walking, lifting up to 20 pounds, kneeling, and some climbing of stairs is also required. The work requires manual dexterity, a large degree of concentration, and working at top speed for several hours at a time. The ability to distinguish colors and color intensity is required. The Medical Technician may be required to commute between two outpatient clinics with the work week, depending on the clinic workload.
The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division. Major duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Performs Laboratory Tests and Reports Findings: Oversee microbiology specimen processing, accessioning, and supply management. Prepares reports, maintains records, and performs administrative duties as assigned. Performs moderate and high-complexity qualitative and quantitative testing in all assigned laboratory specialty areas. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and suggests solutions. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results, interprets results and suggests follow up test selection or procedures. Assists with 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. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm, rotating holidays/weekends 7:00am - 3:30pm (Work schedule subject to change to meet the needs of the service.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92115-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized