Position Summary:
The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is currently recruiting for one full-time Medical Technologist to serve in the Core Laboratory/Blood Bank of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. The Medical Technologist is responsible for performing a wide range of emergency, routine, complex, and specialized test procedures in Clinical Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology, Immunochemistry, Urinalysis, and Blood Bank with minimal on-site supervision.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conducts studies to establish reference values, expected results, and verifies reportable ranges
- Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, performs routine preventative maintenance and documents service on the instruments
- Assists the Core Laboratory Supervisors with the oversight of the established quality management program
- Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and complex procedures using manual and/or micro-processor controlled instruments in accordance with established laboratory medicine protocols
- Performs daily quality control to assure that the reagents, equipment, and temperatures are within the recommended guidelines
- Participates in the evaluation of new instrumentation, reagents, and methodologies that may be incorporated to the test menu
- Performs technical procedures that include but are not limited to: automated chemistry panels, immunochemistry, complete blood counts, coagulation tests, urinalysis, body fluid analysis, peripheral smear evaluation, chromatography, toxicology, enzyme immunoassay, special studies, and automated and manual Blood Bank testing
- Screens test results to detect discrepancies, artifacts, and pathologic change that may warrant additional testing
- Prepares specimens for analysis and/or dispatch ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained
- Performs daily reviews of accession area short sheets for both automated and manual testing
- Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if necessary
Required Education & Experience:
- Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
- Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes
- Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
- A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.). AND completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The professional curriculum may have consisted of a post-baccalaureate certificate program or be integrated into a four year program of study that culminated in a baccalaureate degree.
- Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.
- Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions
- Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education