The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System consists of two medical centers, three large multi-specialty outpatient clinics and ten small community-based primary care outpatient clinics. The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville is a tertiary care facility, identified as the most complex VA health care system, that is also an active teaching hospital, with an extensive array of specialty services. 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: 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. 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. 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. Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series.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). Grade Determinations:GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9 (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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Incumbent has the ability to orally communicate effectively with staff members, veterans and their families in order to provide instructions and explanation to the patients and to assist in the orientation of clinical staff members regarding clinical laboratory policies and procedures. Incumbent must be familiar with computer operation and menus and must be able to perform a variety of functions that include typing skills, etc. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be required to stand, bend, stoop, lift and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift moderately heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions (Reference VA Directive and Handbook 5019). ["Medical Technologist Grade 7 Entry level MT/MLSICLS, development position practicing under close supervision of a Medical Technologist at or above the full performance level. Preforms, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgement and responsibility with minimal technical supervision. Additional Duties include but not limited to: Work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, hematology, flow cytometry, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis and virology. Positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals, and others in the medical center setting including the public. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Preforms and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to lest prefinance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and present solutions. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which includes test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection of procedures. 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 priorities to meet deadlines. Responsible for entering and verifying laboratory results in the computer system. After one year with fully successful performance evaluation, the supervisor may recommend promotion to full performance GS-9 level. Medical Technologist Grade 9 MT/MLS/CLS GS-9 is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. MT/MLSICLS at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. Performs routine and ST AT testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MT/MLS/CLS develops, preforms, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. Additional duties include but not limited to: 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. Require a broad exercise of independent judgement and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. Work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, hematology, flow cytometry, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis and virology. Positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals, and others in the medical center setting including the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm, with rotating holidays and weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Technologist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results