Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until February 13, 2024, or until the vacancy is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 26, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:

The incumbent serves as a Medical Technologist in VA MT Healthcare, Ft. Harrison site responsible for coverage of all clinical disciplines of Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Blood Gases, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Phlebotomy, and send out testing, (excluding Histology and Basic Microbiology coverage only). Required to cover shifts as assigned on our 24-hour, 7 day per week service; weekend, holiday and night shifts are covered as sole technologist on-site. 2) In addition to these broad medical technologist duties, the incumbent is also responsible for the technical oversight of the entire Chemistry Department, consisting of multiple chemistry instruments and all the policy and procedure updating, adherence to all current accreditation standards, all inventory and ordering duties, quality control program oversight including corrective action as necessary, new method development. This technologist acts as an expert Chemistry department technical advisor for all other technical staff.

• Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques. Duties require competency in the areas of Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Blood Gases Phlebotomy, and send out testing.
• Generalist Microbiology competency required. Testing duties in all disciplines require the technologist to perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results.
• Technologist prepares reagents, assembles equipment, and verifies correct instrument operation.
• Maintains validity of assay system by appropriate testing of reagents prior to use for patient testing.
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates and integrates information and performs additional testing to confirm abnormal results.
• Skillfully collects venous and arterial blood samples from patients adhering to all safety and patient care requirements. Controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained.
• Proficiently use VA Laboratory computer software package (VISTA) as job assignments require.
• Demonstrates a working mastery of the functions of the CPRS system and Microsoft Internet, Word, and E-mail functions. Incumbent attentively accessions and labels samples and subsamples, records data accurately in logs and worksheets with extreme attention to ID verification and accurate manual recording. Tech performs these duties as assigned by printed schedule.
• Thorough understanding and adherence to all safety requirements as per regulatory laws such as used in phlebotomy, proper handling of blood and body fluids, hazardous medical waste, safe chemical handling practices, etc. Consults with newer staff regarding abnormal or unusual results and advises on course of action.
• Ensures the adequacy of the scientific knowledge applied in the performance of required tests. Annually attends/completes the required hours of mandatory training required by VA Montana.B) Chemistry Section Oversight Duties in addition to the Medical Technologist duties described above.
• Monthly Chemistry section quality control reports are completed for supervisor and P&LMS Chief review.
• Responsible for oversight of multiple chemistry instruments, chemistry middleware, and automation line if applicable.
• Responsible for maintenance schedules to meet accreditation standards.
• Responsible for the creation/updating of procedure manuals in the Chemistry department assuring continuous review of changing accreditation standards.
• Evaluates data and documentation for accreditation requirement adequacy.
• Responsible for all recurring mandatory method comparison testing; calibration verification and documentation are complete for any test in the department performed by more than one instrument.
• Participates in scoring of vendor's offers and feedback to VISN contracting staff.

Work Schedule: Day Shift, Monday-Friday (with rotating weekends)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 436-58458-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Leon.Lee@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required