Medical Technician

This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) at the Boise VA Medical Center. The incumbent performs a variety of functions, including accession specimens into computer system; collects, evaluates, and processes patient specimens; answers questions relative to specimens; instructs and assists patients; and sends out specimens for testing. Follows policies and procedures established by service, medical center, VA, and regulatory agencies.

Major duties include but are not limited to: Collects and processes specimens obtained for analyses throughout P&LMS and associated reference laboratories, ensuring safety and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the patients and the quality of the specimen. Performs venipuncture specimen collections from inpatient, outpatients, and ambulatory inpatients, with a minimal number of failures, patient bruising, or required re-sticks, ensuring that samples are submitted to the clinical laboratory with the least possible delay. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition, notifying appropriate emergency personnel as needed. Performs work related to tests and examinations using the techniques of medical laboratory practice in one or more specialized areas. Prepares specimens for testing, such as labeling, centrifugation, decanting, aliquoting, etc., prepares reagents, performs the test procedure, verifies the accuracy of the results and reports results in the VISTA computer system. The technician must be familiar with tests performed throughout the Laboratory, i.e., cytology, chemistry, and hematology. Operates centrifuges, reporting any malfunction to supervisor, as needed, and evaluates temperature requirements of refrigerators on the wards as needed. Processes timely request for supplies to ensure adequate materials are always maintained. Receives and sorts specimens collected from inpatients, outpatients, and all CBOC's, checks request slips for proper information, logs in specimen, and delivers specimens to various laboratory sections. Receives accessioning and processing of laboratory specimens from the main draw room, emergency department (ED), ward collect specimens, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and Home Base Health Care (HBHC) patient draws. Verifies the accuracy of information on each specimen, accessions (receives) each specimen into the computer system, prints and accurately labels each specimen. Manually accessions (multi-purpose accessioning) any specimen(s) received with a written laboratory requisition. Sorts all specimens by laboratory department and distributes specimens to corresponding testing area (i.e., Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Blood Bank, Microbiology, Send Out (Reference Laboratory). Generates (document) occurrence reports for any specimen(s) rejected for analysis (i.e., unlabeled, mislabeled, clotted, QNS, or other reasons for rejections). Performs computer downtime operations when the EHR is not operational; manually enters all patient information found in the computer down time form, test orders, and generates labels; labels, sorts, and delivers all specimens to designated testing areas of the lab; and diligently reorders laboratory tests in the EHR system for all patients once the EHR system becomes operational. Observes and processes employee drug screen testing. Enters pathology biopsy specimens form hospital and clinics, into the laboratory computer reporting system, prepares specimen cassettes, and prepares bar code labels for specimens. Responsible for receiving Microbiology specimens. Prepare gram stains on specimens when appropriate. Loads blood culture bottles into the Vitek Blood Culture Incubator. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions as directed by the Technologist on duty. Performs instrument maintenance for PCR analyzer. Performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system for waived testing. Responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of all centrifuges and serofuges in the service. Processes send out specimens and stores specimens according to specimen storage requirements (i.e., ambient, frozen, or refrigerated). Trouble shoots issues on the automated instrument and work independently to be assigned to operate the automated instrument. Conducts training for new laboratory medical technicians, new medical laboratory technologists (MT)/chemistry staff and medical technologist students on how to operate and trouble-shoot the chemistry automated processing instrument. Work Schedule: Part Time, Thursdays & Fridays, 6:00am to 2:30pm MST (Rotating holidays and weekends) Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD60447A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

You must be a U.S. 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. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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) 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; 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.