Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS). The Advanced MLT provides consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to the Community Provider Order (CPO) program.Qualifications: 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
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.
(a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
i ASCP, Board of Certification.
OR
ii ASCP, Board of Registry. OR
(b) American Medical Technologists.
OR
(c) American Association of Bioanalysts.
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:
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.
GS-6 Assignment. At the full performance level, MLTs use independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. MLTs perform day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care. This includes providing pre-analytic instructions to patients, VA staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens. MLTs use processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and they accurately label and sort patient specimens. MLTs operate and maintain all instrumentation in assigned areas to deliver precise, timely and accurate laboratory results when analyzing body fluids such as blood, urine and tissue samples. MLTs at this level analyze laboratory findings and issue necessary reports. The results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures are discussed with supervisors, pathologists and other medical professionals as needed.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs:

• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Three years of clinical laboratory work experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) in a hospital setting with ASCP, AMT, or AAB certification.
• Three years of medical terminology and laboratory testing knowledge.
• Three years of experience using computer software applications for data entry and other clerical and administrative duties.
• One year of experience with quality and inventory management experience for a clinical laboratory department(s).
• One year of experience with inspections from accrediting/regulatory agencies such as TJC, CAP, FDA, et cetera.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G69, Medical Technician Qualification Standard, dated October 10, 2023.
This position is above the Full-Performance Level (GS-6 for this occupation). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.
Physical Requirements:
Use of hands, eyes, standing, and light lifting/carrying may be required to perform some of the functions of this position, must be able to distinguish colors for testing interpretations and have fine motor skills with hands and finger, etc.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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
NOTE: The required certification meets education requirements for this assignment.
Duties continued:

Community Provider Order Entry and Reporting:

• The Advanced MLT will receive laboratory orders directly from Veteran patients and providers outside the VA system. The Advanced MLT then evaluates the community provider laboratory orders and places orders within the VA laboratory information system to facilitate the patient specimen collection at VA facilities. The Advanced MLT reviews test results of those orders and documents that the results are provided to the ordering provider/designee, to include critical values. The incumbent coordinates this care with other VA systems and services to ensure efficient quality laboratory services.

Specimen Collection and Processing:

• The Advanced MLT maintains skills and is proficient in phlebotomy and follows CLSI guidelines for blood draws. The Advanced MLT uses two unique patient identifiers and active communication with identifying patients for blood draws and all other specimen collection processes; draws tubes in the correct order in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures; organizes the STAT and timed draws and reviews the collection list for uncollected data for outpatient blood draw and assists the phlebotomists to ensure there is coverage where needed or where tasks need to be completed; acts as information specialist for the section and assists practitioners in locating results, adding tests to existing specimens, explaining collection procedures, handling requirements and any special requirements for esoteric testing; processes specimens using the equipment, instruments and techniques required to prepare them for specific analysis, controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that physiologic integrity of the specimen is maintained; identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions that cause erroneous results (e.g. instrument malfunctions, improper test conditions, specimen appropriateness and viability); investigates and documents processing, labeling, collection and other specimen errors using problem report forms; enters reference lab results in the lab computer package, evaluates the validity of the result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age, and gender of the patient.

• The Advanced MLT performs a broad spectrum of complex STAT and routine in clinical chemistry, toxicology, drug monitoring, and other procedures utilizing a wide range of technologies including immunoassay. It is key that the MLT can utilize computer systems associated with specimen processing instruments. Other duties include entering and verifying esoteric lab test results from commercial reference testing laboratories.

• The Advanced MLT performs procedures associated with the enumeration and identification of human blood constituents and the study of the coagulation system. The Advanced MLT performs blood analyses using complex Hematology and Coagulation analyzers and manual counts. Knowledge of the physiological changes that affect sample stability and test accuracy is particularly important in this area due to the short stability of the samples utilized for analysis. Incumbent prepares stained slide preparations for the performance of microscopic work. The Advanced MLT must exercise critical judgement in the identification of human blood cells, particularly in white cell differential and the morphology of red cells. In Coagulation, tests performed include those used for monitoring anticoagulation therapy.

• The Advanced MLT performs procedures associated with enumeration and identification of urine elements. The incumbent performs urine analysis using complex analyzers. Knowledge of the physiological changes that affect sample stability and test accuracy are particularly important in this area due to the short stability of the samples utilized for analysis. The incumbent must exercise critical judgement in the identification of human urine components.

• The Advanced MLT performs procedures associated with identification of bacteria using a broad range of testing methodologies (molecular, panel ID, etc.). Incumbent prepares stained slide preparations for the performance of microscopic work. The incumbent must exercise critical judgement in the identification of bacterial and viral components.

• The Advanced MLT performs analysis using ancillary testing system

Employment Type: FULL_TIME