MLT - Medical Laboratory

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is seeking a Medical Technician for the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University Drive facility. The incumbent provides clinical and administrative support to a wide variety of departments in the Laboratory. Responsibilities This position is located in the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center Laboratory. They are responsible to the Supervisor of Phlebotomy/Processing. Duties include but are not limited to, specimen collection, specimen receipt, specimen preparation, specimen ordering, and specimen shipping. Specimen Collection/Specimen Receiving Actively identifies patient using two full identifiers according to facility policy before specimen collection. Performs venipuncture and capillary collections on both inpatients and outpatients on a routine or STAT basis to obtain blood samples for testing. Accurately labels specimens according to facility policy. Delivers samples to the lab for testing. Adheres to safety, infection control and standard precautions while drawing blood samples. Provides initial aid when a patient has a reaction to a venipuncture procedure and activates a condition when serious or emergency conditions exist. Recognizes, reassures and supports nervous patients during sample collections to keep them calm and comfortable. Explains procedure and provides collection container to patients for collection of other lab specimens including but not limited to; Advises healthcare providers on special collection procedures for other lab tests as requested. Reviews and receives orders in VISTA, sorts and prioritizes samples collected outside the laboratory. Evaluates specimens for suitability and acceptability and labels according to facility policy. Notifies nursing or provider if samples need to be recollected. Incumbent enters orders into VISTA for samples collected and sent from other VA facilities both in and outside of VISN 4. Labels samples according to facility policy and delivers samples to the correct department for testing Clerical and Administrative Support Monitors supply inventory, rotates stock, and minimizes outdating. Responsible for determining that no outdated collection containers, tubes, etc., Uses materials in a cost effective manne Completes requisitions with accuracy for samples sent to reference labs that are not interfaced with the VA lab information system. Trains and orients new employees and students as applicable and assigned. Opens and checks mail against manifest received with samples for testing at VAPHS. Receives orders for mailed samples or places orders into the lab information system and distributes samples to the respective testing area Participates in inspection readiness and compliance with laboratory regulatory agencies. Rotating hours starting between 5:30am and 7:45am Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD02667A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. General Experience: Six months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-3 level) that demonstrates technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings. Specialized Experience: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. OR, Education and Training: Successful completion of (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of the training course as described in (a) above for GS-3; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Additional Information 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at