Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

Summary This position is located in the Microbiology / Immunology department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The incumbent is primarily responsible for accessioning / processing / plating microbiology / molecular specimens submitted for analysis as well as perform routine and stat testing for inpatient and outpatients. Responsibilities The technician has the responsibility of handling patient / provider referral of incoming calls, customer service to veterans, visitors, and staff and laboratory specimen referral support, as well as : Processes samples for routine culture work up in microbiology and assists in the work-up of cultures from human body sites : blood, spinal fluid, other body fluids, respiratory cultures, urine, feces, wounds, tissue, etc. Advises laboratory personnel or healthcare workers on the appropriate collection and handling of specimens. Assists in the culture work-up of non-body sites which may provide valuable information in the management of patients' including catheter tips, artificial valves, dialysate fluids, solutions, environmental cultures, etc. Performs daily routine maintenance of the incubators in microbiology and the emergency eyewash stations. Prepares and reads daily Gram stains and wet preparations prepared directly from clinical samples to provide immediate information to the physician before culture results are available. Operate the blood culture analyzer for loading and offloading blood cultures, which includes the daily performance testing, maintenance, gram stain of positive cultures, sub-culturing to the appropriate media, and critical physician notifications. Responsible for inventory management; unpacks and dates received products such as reagents, kits, media, and general supplies; taking regular inventory and initiates ordering of supplies. Documents all quality control activities and maintains accurate records in compliance with accrediting agencies such as CAP / TJC / FDA / AABB / CLIA. Uses independent judgment to consult and provide guidance to lab personnel, clinicians, other healthcare workers, and patients on all aspects of lab testing including sample collection and result review including communication to the provider for abnormal test results. Work Schedule : 5 : 00pm-12 : 00am; rotating weekends and one day per week. (May work up to 29 hours per pay period) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : 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 authorized Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 646-02694-F 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. 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 (). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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. Qualifications 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. (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) - ASCP, Board of Certification. OR ASCP, Board of Registry. (b) American Medical Technologists. (c) American Association of Bioanalysts 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, the following criteria must be met for this position, Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician GS-7 : Experience - one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level. Examples of equivalent experience include using independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. Performing 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, staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens. Using processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and they accurately label and sort patient specimens. Operating 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. 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. Testing can be 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Skill in applying new scientific / technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific / advanced complex laboratory equipment. Knowledge of laboratory information technology (IT) systems including troubleshooting systems issues, interface requirements between new instruments and existing IT infrastructure and laboratory IT test development. Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with continuing education and employee orientation to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements. Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade of this position is considered above the full performance at the GS-7. Physical Requirements : Must be able to perform moderate lifting, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain. 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 : 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 : 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. 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.