Medical Technician

July 10, 2023
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Job Description

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, South Dakota, The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) serves in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, within the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), serology, microbiology, and specimen procurement and processing. The MLT rotates through the above mentioned areas. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/23/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U. S. C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e. g. , biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled; Direct experience performing a variety of CLIA high complexity/moderate/waived standardized tests, examinations, and determinations – the procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to – and essential for – satisfactory performance of the job).

Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Diagnostic Medical Testing Specimen Collection Technical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e. g. , Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e. g. , professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The employee works indoors in an environment involving everyday risks or discomforts which require safety precautions typical of a laboratory. Observance of normal safety practices within the lab involves proper use of equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations is required. Personal protective equipment is worn as required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www. opm. gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. [“Major duties include, but are not limited to: Performs CLIA high complexity, moderate complexity and waived tests.

Performs the full range of routine and emergency testing procedures. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures both manually and on testing equipment. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results (instrument malfunctions, conditions of test performance, specimen unsuitability, reaction systems and/or test procedures used). Independently takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems. Prepares slides, smears, cultures, etc. , of extremely delicate or otherwise volatile specimens, using critical concern for the quality of the specimen given the procedure to be used for test or examination. Performs and interprets microscopic evaluations of body fluid specimens. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with accreditation agency requirements. Aseptically performs venipunctures and fingersticks and controls contaminated or potentially and arterials to collect proper specimens for the performance of tests; prepares and sends specimens to reference laboratories. Performs established quality control procedures to check the accuracy and validity of test results.

Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment and controls supplies. Conducts work according to Laboratory Safety Regulations and instructs coworkers, graduate students, and MLT/MLS/phlebotomy students on safety policies and procedures. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 6:00am – 2:30pm, with rotating off-shift, weekend and holiday coverage Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD80188A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran’s community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. ”]

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