This position is in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend. The incumbent works in the Pathology and Lab Service and functions as the Medical Technologist, performing key duties in the clinical laboratory. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/02/2022. 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 and/or Experience Combination: (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 have either (1) or (2) below: (1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (2) For positions up to the full performance level, candidates must currently possess the categorical or specialist technologist level certification from the certification agencies listed above, such as, but not limited to, chemistry (C/SC), hematology (H/SH), microbiology (M/SM), molecular biology (MB/SMB) and blood bank (BB/SBB). Technologists with categorical or specialist certifications may only perform duties within the area of the laboratory specific to their categorical certification (e. g., an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry). Physical Requirements. See list below. English Language Proficiency. Medical Technologists (MTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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). GS-9 Grade Determination (Full Performance Level) (a) 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. 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. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 1. Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. 2. 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. 3. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. 4. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. 5. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. 6. Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. 7. Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes. 8. Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. (d) Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A MT at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MT develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G24 Medical Technologist Qualification Standard dated May 12, 2014. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["*** Bargaining Position *** Join the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS) as a Medical Technologist. You will develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), hematology, coagulation, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology. Position includes requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures, collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; provide education, technical advice and information to laboratory staff, healthcare staff within the medical center, and to the public. You will also verify, oversee collection of, interpret, track, appropriately report and document reporting of general and specialized laboratory testing to community providers and VA systems. Other duties include: Diagnose deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Answer inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors, which influence test results. Interpret findings and makes recommendations. Update procedures and ensures that all testing and procedures meet the requirements and standards of the accrediting agencies. Attend vendor training as scheduled for new instrumentation and is responsible for equipment troubleshooting and staff training/competency in use of the new instrument. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Alternate schedules may be necessary to meet the needs of the organization.)\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nPreferred Experience: 3 years of general laboratory experience as a Medical Technologist Experience with Abbott Architect Ci4100, Sysmex XN-2000, Stago Compact Max, and Cepheid GeneXpert Experience performing phlebotomy on adult patients Experience utilizing electronic health records (VistA and CPRS)"]