This position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Line (PLMS) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service (GS-5), that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed at least one-half (½) year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a Bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that includes courses directly related to the work of this position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of this position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, etc. and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Clinical Data Collection/Documentation Compliance Inspection Computer Skills IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ["***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties: All specimens received for bacterial culture and sensitivities are processed according to type of specimen and special request such as anaerobic, Legionella, etc. Independently read cultures and determine need for additional tests (e.g., Vitek, catalase, oxidase) for the identification of organisms isolated from urine cultures, perform sensitivity test to determine sensitivity patterns of isolated organisms. Prepares stains and smears and notifies the Medical Technologist Prepares special media when needed. Prepares reagents and stains such as gram stain decolorizer, digestant for processing Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) specimens, etc. Reports results via the computer of cultures of urine, blood, fluids at 48hrs, and 5 days or 1 week when assigned. Independently selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrument techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction (mixed cultures, insufficient growth, and contamination) Determines when tests should be redone, procedures changed, or additional tests conducted to insure the highest quality culture. Obtains analytical data (e.g., final titer end points, color reactions of biochemical for fermenters and non-fermenters, Staph. and Strept. identification, Vitek readouts, antimicrobic susceptibility patterns, agglutinations). Selects the procedures appropriate for the test requests and processes specimens using equipment, instruments, or techniques necessary for specific analyses Prepares reagents, assembles equipment, and verifies correct instrument operation. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions, which cause erroneous results; reaction systems, and/or test procedures used. Correlates data to verify results Writes laboratory reports (identifying sample and stating methods and results); conveys results orally, written and via computer Prints daily work sheets via computer, and conveys results orally, written via computer Processes sera or plasma specimens for Molecular Diagnostic testing according to the established procedures. Instructs medical technicians, medical technologists, residents, or medical students when in the processing area. Informs supervisor of low levels of consumable supplies in his/her area. Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm alternating Holidays and Weekends; Monday-Friday 3:30pm-12:00am alternating Holidays and Weekends Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]

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