Lead Medical Laboratory Technician - Phlebotomy/Point of Care

Allied Health Professional

Major Duties Include, but are not limited to the following:

• Bench-Level Responsibilities:
• Collects and processes specimens, ensures accurate identification and proper preservation of the specimen and controls physical conditions to ensure the physiological state of the specimen is maintained.
• Evaluates specimen suitability for analysis and requests new ones if unusable. Prepares specimens while maintaining their physiologic properties.
• Specimen collection and processing is performed independently, without supervision. Works as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments.
• Performs routine waived testing and quality control procedures, survey samples on Point of Care (POC) instruments, reagents and products, and maintains accurate records for quality control reports pertaining to waived testing.
• Recognizes POC instruments malfunctions, common problems, troubleshoots and performs simple repairs.
• Reviews, interprets and verifies test results for accuracy, reports them in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Reports and communicates significant or critical values promptly in accordance with policy. Consult with other members of the health care team, patients, and external customers regarding laboratory findings as appropriate.
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.
• Instructs, assists, and advises medical technicians, residents, hospital staff, patients, and students as necessary.
• Maintains sufficient supply of phlebotomy materials, reporting shortages for resolution. Ensures in-date supplies are used, rotates supplies to minimize waste, and properly discards expired materials.
• Adheres to all facility, local, state, and federal safety requirements. Conducts all work according to Laboratory Safety regulations.
• Leadership and Oversight Responsibilities:
• Prepares weekly staffing schedules and adjusts daily assignments for the BDR, Building 79, and 4C clinic to ensure timely completion of duties (i.e. response to call-ins, leave, or changing priorities.)
• Provides daily directions to staff and ensures minimum coverage levels are met.
• Oversees specimen collection workflow, resolves routine issues, and ensures adherence to protocols.
• Conducts competency assessments, direct observations, and training for staff and students in accordance with CLIA, CAP, and VA standards. Maintains training and competency records in MediaLab.
• Plans and coordinates ongoing training to maintain staff proficiency across all BDR areas.
• Oversees daily/weekly/monthly safety checks (eyewash stations, crash carts, chair inspections) and CoaguChek quality control testing, CAP surveys and troubleshooting.
• Ensures the accuracy of attendance records in the Blood Draw Room (BDR), documents incidents (JPSRs, equipment malfunctions), and provides workload and quality reports to the supervisor.
• The Lead MLT assists the Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) with the laboratory point of care testing program.
• Responsible for point of care testing in the blood draw room, including reagent lot validation, quality control and calibration verification testing, as well as proficiency testing, may include but not limited to coaguchek, glucose meter, iSTAT.

Work Schedule: Daytime hours, Monday - Friday; No weekends/No holidays

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: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized