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Summary This Medical Laboratory Technician position is in Pathology and Lab services at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Togus ME location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities As an MLT with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of phlebotomy, chemistry (including special chemistry and toxicology), hematology, coagulation, blood banking, urinalysis, microbiology, and specimen procurement and processing. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs a full range of laboratory testing and examination of blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens. Verifies identity of patient and collects blood specimens with minimal discomfort to the patient using standard phlebotomy techniques. Performs both venipuncture and capillary collections utilizing vacutainer, syringe, butterfly, or finger stick devices. Collects blood from both inpatients and outpatients. Labels samples accurately, centrifuges, and aliquots samples as needed. Performs and evaluates quality control and proficiency testing samples according to laboratory standard operating procedures and accrediting agency requirements. Operates and maintains laboratory equipment, to minimize breakdown and delay of procedures. Analyzes laboratory findings and issues reports. The results and findings are discussed with supervisors and medical professionals as needed. Ensures that laboratory areas are stocked, maintains appropriate inventories, and notifies appropriate personnel when supplies need to be ordered. Follows standard precautions, isolation procedures, infection control policies and other safety regulations. Disposes of contaminated and/or potentially dangerous specimens, reagents, and chemicals in accordance with applicable regulations. Packages laboratory specimens for pick up and shipment to reference laboratories. Enters data into the computerized patient medical record either manually or through instrument computer interfaces. Calls critical values to the clinician per laboratory policy. Accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the results. Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday-Friday 10:00am - 6:30pm, with rotating weekends and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: F07562 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Laboratory Technician: https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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) Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is in an AFGE Bargaining Unit. This position is on a special salary rate. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. No award SF50's will be accepted. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a current 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) 1. ASCP, Board of Certification. OR 2. ASCP, Board of Registry. (b) American Medical Technologists. OR (c) American Association of Bioanalysts. Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may receive a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed two years as a graduate MLT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend. 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). GS-5 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-6 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work. 2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems. 3. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. 4. Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments. 5. Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results. 6. Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions. 7. Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers. References: VA Handbook 5005/158 Part II Appendix G 69 The full performance level of this vacancy is (GS 6). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of (GS 5) to (GS 6). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on 8/16/2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 6/5/24 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled. "What To Expect Next" area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.