Medical Technician

This is a PART-TIME position located at the Castle Rock Veterans Clinic Colorado Springs CO.

This position falls within Primary Care Clinics and rural CBOCs Pathology and Laboratory at the ECHCS VA Health Care System. The primary function of this position is to obtain blood specimens by venipuncture from properly identified patients for laboratory testing, and provide properly prepared specimens for testing.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

1. Specimens received consist of all specimen types including blood, urine, stool, cultures, joint aspirations, other fluids, and other irretrievable specimens. Uses the VA computer system when processing specimens. Samples are accepted into the computer for testing or the order is removed from the computer if samples are not collected. Protects the security of the computer system and maintains patient confidentiality.
2. Receives, validates, processes and distributes specimens to the proper equipment for storage until transported to RMR Medical facility for testing. This includes assuring the proper specimen was collected, patient identification on the tube is correct and matches the accompanying requisition(s) and accessioning the specimens. Ensures all pre-analytical testing requirements are met by ensuring centrifugation at the appropriate time and rpm setting, appropriate pre-treatment of specimen if required, accurately labels aliquot tubes and stores at the appropriate temperature protecting from light if required or distributes to the proper section for testing.
3. If there is a question regarding the testing, incumbent consults with the provider; nurse, pathologist or appropriate Medical Technologist to ensure the appropriate testing is performed on the appropriate sample.
4. Should maintain current knowledge in the changing field of ancillary testing sufficient to serve as the first line technical consultant and advisor to CBOC staff. May be requested to develop or recommend policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing. Must have a thorough knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements, including Joint Commission and the College of American Pathology.
5. Is required to evaluate the competency of the variety of individuals (nurses, physician, patients) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results, promptly, accurately, and proficiently. Also included would be the ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program.
6. Is required to develop and recommend policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing equipment and instrumentation. Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies. Is required to consult with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods.
7. Is required to assist with the development of technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing.
8. Provides training to Medical Laboratory Technicians, Nursing staff, Medical Assistants, and Nursing Assistants in accessioning.
9. Accurately administers and collects specimens for employee drug screening program. Appropriately completes required chain of custody paperwork and packages for shipment to testing facility. These are considered legal specimens.
10. The incumbent performs other duties necessary for the efficient operation of the laboratory such as speaking at New Veterans Orientation. The technician may be requested to present laboratory information including, but not limited to, available appointment times, walk-in times, and general hours of operation.

Work Schedule: 7:15 a.m. - 3:45 Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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 #: 58681, 58682-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
ASCP, Board of Registry.
American Medical Technologists.
American Association of Bioanalysts.
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.

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).

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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 4, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None.
GS-06. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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: 1 year lab experience
References: VA Handbook 5005/158 Part II Appendix G69
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.

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/.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.