Summary

This position is located within the Department of Veteran Affairs within the Martinsburg VA Medical Center Pathology and Laboratory department. The Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (AMLT) performs a variety of waived - moderate - and high complexity tests on biological specimens. The (AMLT) serves as a generalist in the laboratory with responsibility for performing testing in all areas of Chemistry - Hematology/Coagulation - Blood Bank - Microbiology - Serology - and Urinalysis.

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
• 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
• or - ii
• ASCP - Board of Registry
• American Medical Technologists or - American Association of Bioanalysts
• Note: For grade levels above full performance level - the candidate must be certified
• Grade Determinations: GS-07 Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (Above Full Performance Level): 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) 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 v) (*)Safety Coordination: Oversee safe handling of specimens - chemicals and equipment by all staff and ensure compliance with safety regulations
• (KSA vi) (*)Laboratory Education: Plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements
• (KSA vii) (*)Quality Management: Coordinate quality management activities within the laboratory and ensure compliance with required standards of quality
• (KSA viii) 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-7. Physical Requirements: This work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing - bending over microscopes - reaching for supplies or materials - and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and reagent boxes
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures and color vision.

Duties

• Duties may include but are not limited to: Performs 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
• Independently operates the full range of laboratory functions on irregular tours
• Administers tests and laboratory procedures
• Recognizes and defines testing problems and evaluates methods for solution
• Evaluates - guides or implements possible alternative approaches to standard methods
• Evaluates procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for analysis - and requests new specimen if the initial specimen is determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimens for analysis ensuring that physiological properties are maintained
• Performs phlebotomy as needed for requested laboratory tests
• Verifies the patient's identity
• Prepares reagents and primary reference material
• Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Consults with physicians on additional tests that may be useful or necessary to clarify problems
• Determines procedures for tests to be performed in the unit
• Identifies control samples appropriate to monitory assays/procedures
• defines action to be taken when control sample is outside limits
• Maintains record keeping systems
• Ensures criteria represents acceptable standards of quality and can be measured - controlled - collected - and evaluated in an efficient manner
• Ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data and ensures discrepancies are identified and attended to
• Adheres to quality control measures
• Other duties and tasks as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full time
• Rotating tours
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 613-24004-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized.