This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. 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: 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, 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 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. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (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). English Language Proficiency. MT's must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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: The following criteria must be met for each grade level: GS-10 Advanced Staff Technologist (Medical Technologist) 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. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-9 grade level include but not limited to routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting; develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met; 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD dated May 2014. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are moderate. The work includes the ability to maneuver in and behind instrumentation for troubleshooting and maintenance procedures. Some work is sedentary (4-7 hrs.) with periods of walking (2hrs.), bending and or kneeling (3 hrs.), lifting and carrying of reagents, equipment, and files (15-44 lbs.). There may be some extended periods of standing (6-8 hrs.); near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; ability to hear whispered voice; the use of fingers is required including typing (4-6 hrs.); reaching above shoulder; ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination required. ["The Advanced Staff Technologist (generalist) position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System located in Bay Pines, Florida. One position has primary competency within the Microbiology section of the laboratory however may include other areas such as Serology, Chemistry, or Hematology. The other position is a generalist, all areas of competency on 2nd Shift. The Medical Technologist at the advanced, GS 10 level assignment has advanced training and experience and has a wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist profession. Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Follows established policies and procedures. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis. Instructs and assists coworkers in specimen problem handling according to service procedures. Operates, calibrates, troubleshoots malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment and documents appropriately. Analyzes and diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction and documents appropriately. Performs and documents quality control and corrective actions. Troubleshoots QC issues. Communicates issues with supervisor as needed. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions. Enters Incident reports for Process improvement. Troubleshoots test result discrepancies in assigned area. Evaluates action and correlates data. Reports test results timely. Notifies provider of critical results and documents appropriately. Leads team members on proper procedure for handling unexpected results. Communicates with healthcare providers on patient history or condition to evaluate the test result validity as needed to troubleshoot unusual results. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Consults with supervisor or pathologists when needed. Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity when evaluating the validity of testing results. Performs and assists with test method validation. Evaluates and implements new techniques and test methods in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations as requested. Writes procedures for new methods. Updates procedures for lab compliance as requested. Monitors laboratory tests and procedures to be consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements. Reports issues to supervisors. Trains and instructs new employees and students. Gives direction and guidance using principles of laboratory testing and stablished service policy and procedures. Assists with competency documentation for employees. Work Schedule: Day, Night, and Evening Shifts available. Varied tours, including a compressed work schedule (7-on/7-off). Position require on-call, and disaster rotation schedule as needed to ensure patient care needs are met. Weekend and Holiday coverage are as needed to meet minimum staffing needs. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20627F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: V8_EDRP_BAYPINES@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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