Lead Medical Laboratory Technician

Full Job Description

The Lead Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care System (EPVAHCS) and surrounding CBOC's.

The Lead MLT will work directly with the Supervisory MLT as a liaison between Phlebotomists and the Supervisor in performing their duties in accordance with the policies and procedures of the EPVAHCS P&LMS and all other duties associated with the performance duties of the position.

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 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).

Certification: Must possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations.

American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) ASCP, Board of Registry (BOR) American Medical Technologists (AMT).

OR American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) GS-7 GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, must have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level.

PLEASE NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-6 level, experience must have also been earned while having an active MLT certification as described in the previous question.

Reference: 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.

Must possess the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's).

The following KSAs should be reflected within your resume or on a separate document with your application package: Knowledge of techniques to instruct students and newly hired staff to properly perform tests and application of laboratory procedures.

Skill in conducting laboratory procurement procedures to maintain appropriate levels of reagent and supply inventories.

Ability to provide technical oversight to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload. Ability to plan staff training to address needs.

Preferred Experience: Possession of certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) granted by ASCP, AMT, or AAB.

Experience performing high-complexity testing in areas such as clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, immunohematology (blood banking), and molecular testing (PCR).

Experience assisting with quality management activities, including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP standards, and preparing for regulatory inspections and accreditations.

Experience providing training and guidance to laboratory staff, incorporating educational methodology for in-service and continuing education programs.

Experience in leadership, staff scheduling, and critical thinking Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Medical Laboratory Technician: Follows the leadership expectations of the Supervisory MLT as the liaison between Medical Technicians (Phlebotomists), MLTs, and all customers to the EPVAHCS P&LMS (i.e., patients, care takers, service representatives, etc.).

Performs administrative work dealing with the CPO process analyzing, developing, evaluating, or promoting performance improvements in laboratory processes to maximize efficiency and improve quality in P&LMS business operations by working closely with the Supervisory Medical Technician and Medical Technicians in the laboratory outpatient area.

Provide training and guidance to the Medical Technicians and other lab and facility staff members in the CPO process as needed.

Incorporate principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education.

Supports P&LMS leaders in the planning and implementation of department programs, selecting the approach, resolving technical problems, and advising on the coordination in carrying out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignments in accordance with established laboratory practices.

Assists management officials with laboratory continuous readiness for regulatory agency inspections and accreditations by preparing for inspections.

Supports P&LMS leaders to ensure proper and timely proficiency testing (PT) performance and reporting and works on solutions for improvement.

Supports P&LMS leaders to ensure that all employees performing collections and testing understand and comply with all safety regulations according to the P&LMS and facility safety policies.

Assists P&LMS leaders with the monitoring of quality components, continuous performance improvement initiatives, and obtaining customer feedback.

Perform a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation.

Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles information.

Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements.

Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions.

Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors, which influence test results.

Interpret results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures.

Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of the automated analytical instrumentation used in all departments of the laboratory.

Use, calibrate, identify malfunctions, repair, and perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.

Perform and document 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. Duties are continued in the Education Section.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:45 AM - 3:30 PM, May be required to work different tours, weekends, and Holidays per needs of Service.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized