This Medical Technologist incumbent will be rotating among all the areas of the Clinical Laboratory on daily basis. Note: This position is an Open Continuous Posting Note: Recruitment and relocation incentives of $5,000 with 2 year service agreement may be approved for highly qualified candidates. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and Experience: (1) 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. OR, (2) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, AND two years of post-certification clinical laboratory experience (e.g., blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, clinical microscopy, etc.) within the last ten years as a certified Medical Laboratory Technician by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC), American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory. OR, (3) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, AND five years of clinical laboratory experience within the last ten years performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following: (1) A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree. (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. Certification: Candidates must meet 1 of the below: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. OR Grandfathering Provision. All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: (1) MTs that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) MTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MTs initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If MTs who were retained in this occupation under this provision leave the occupation, the MT loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 (Entry Level) (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments. Employees at this level serve in an entry level MT career development position practicing under close supervision of an MT at or above the full performance level. GS-9 is the full performance level grade for the GS-644 medical technologist work series. Applicants must have: (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, (b) Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: - Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. - Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement in order to manage reagent and supply inventories and document control systems. - Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. - Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. - Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. - Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. - Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes .- Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["As Generalist Medical Technologist, the incumbent will be rotating among all the areas of the Clinical Laboratory on daily basis. Work assignments may allow for specialization within a single laboratory department (e.g., hematology, chemistry, microbiology, etc.) depending on the needs of the Service. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures included within the medical technologist occupation. Recognizes deviations from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using specific principles. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, taking into account physiologic process and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnosis deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to the test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Identifies discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions. Answer inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, including tests results, interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Evaluates and implements new techniques or procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and make recommendations. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Organizes work and sets priority to meet deadlines. Responsible for entering and verifying laboratory results in the computer system. Performs other duties as assigned. Tour of Duty: Multiple shifts"]