Summary Medical Laboratory Technician is responsible for the provision of the overall support at the Mayaguez community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). This position will cover services in Mayaguez VA facility and travel is not required to VACHS or other CBOC's unless training is required. Responsibilities Major duties but are not limited to: Performing blood and body fluids collection for a wide range of diagnostic laboratory tests in a courteous manner making the patient feel as comfortable as possible, and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Utilizing VA Healthcare System such as VISTA and CPRS to accurately perform work such as reviewing and accepting lab orders, gathering information required to complete assigned duties, and researching and resolving problems. Ensuring and verify the correct labeling of specimens and patient identification following Laboratory National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG). Orders and maintains adequate inventory of supplies. Monitoring and maintains the phlebotomy station area as well the working station supplies area available with sufficient materials for the required services and assists in keeping inventory up to date. Actively participates in training and mentoring of new employees and students. Completes high volumes of work keeping a rapid pace without sacrificing accuracy. Verifying the patient as the individual denoted on the request labels using two approved forms of identification and assures all tubes are labeled as standard of operating procedures (SOP).Adheres to safety, infection control, and standard precautions always while drawing blood, handle specimens or performing testing. Maintaining a well-organized and clean work area. Blood samples are collected with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising or requiring redrawn specimens. Performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens, xylose and lactose tolerance tests, semen analysis collections, urine cytology collection, stool collections for ova and parasites, stool culture, occult blood, sterile mid-stream urine collections, among others, inform patient or patient relative in procedure to be followed prior to, during and after the test to obtain the specimens at the required time. Accessions send out samples, collects, and preserves specimens ensuring the physiologic properties of the specimens are maintained. Preserve all specimens according to method requirements. Consulting with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in cases where specimens are inadequate for testing. Adheres to safety, infection control, and standard precautions always while drawing blood, handle specimens or performing testing. Maintaining a well-organized and clean work area. Blood samples are collected with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising or requiring redrawn specimens. Performing special drawing procedures such as collecting timed specimens, xylose and lactose tolerance tests, semen analysis collections, urine cytology collection, stool collections for ova and parasites, stool culture, occult blood, sterile mid-stream urine collections, among others, inform patient or patient relative in procedure to be followed prior to, during and after the test to obtain the specimens at the required time. Accessions send out samples, collects, and preserves specimens ensuring the physiologic properties of the specimens are maintained. Preserve all specimens according to method requirements. Consulting with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in cases where specimens are inadequate for testing. Specimen preparation for pick up by Reference Laboratory. Responsible for the evaluation, preservation, packaging and shipping of samples, follow up and solving problems with specimens and/or results. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, Rotating shifts that may include schedule: 6:30am-10:30am; 7:00am-11:00am; 7:30am-11:30am; 8:00am-12:00pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61866F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. 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) ASCP, Board of Certification. OR ASCP, Board of Registry. American Medical Technologists. OR 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. This is an entry-level developmental MLT position. MLTs will typically receive guidance from experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. MLTs at this level perform testing in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing, phlebotomy, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, toxicology, urinalysis, referral laboratory, microbiology and specimen processing. MLTs recognize data with life-threatening (critical) implications and understand the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patient's physician and/or nursing staff Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-06. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of MLT principles, practices, concepts and theories for sound independent work. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments. Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results. Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions. Ability to consult with other members of the health care team, patients and external customers Preferred Experience: Must demonstrate knowledge of MLT principles and practices. Should demonstrate the compliance with educational requirements to apply for the required certification if he/she does not possess it 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06. 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 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.