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. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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). (3) 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. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above. 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-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: 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. Preferred Experience: BS degree or higher in medical laboratory science; ASCP certified; at least 1 year clinical experience in the laboratory procedures and 1 years specialized experience in microbiology. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Incumbent must meet physical standards for the position. The work is normally completed in an indoor office setting. Incumbent is required to stand, bend, stoop, lift, and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift 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. ["The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following: Performs routine, non-routine, and specialized test procedures in each sub-unit of the section (routine microbiology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, mycology, immunology, enzyme immunoassays, and molecular pathology). Performs requested procedures, taking into consideration disease states or conditions affecting testing. Prepares microbiology specimens for initial processing on appropriate culture media to insure satisfactory cultivation and identification of both aerobic and anaerobic microbial agents. Prepares and process clinical specimens and carries out a variety of procedures in immunology, iminunopathology and infectious disease serology such as flocculation, agglutination, enzyme-immunoassays, immunofluorescence, and molecular pathology (PCR). Carries out selected biochemical and immunological test procedures, in a logical sequence to insure correct identification of microbial specifies, in a timely manner. Performs qualitative and quantitative antibiotic susceptibility testing of microbial isolates. Prepares and evaluates the suitability of reagents, readies the equipment to be used, verifying instrument functions by utilizing electronic standards, chemical standards, and controls, performs test and evaluates the results of a variety of complex procedures. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of nonroutine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Examines instrument function, rechecks conditions of test performance, evaluated reaction systems and/or procedural technique utilized, and provides solutions/repairs based on symptoms. Performs necessary quality control, analytic measurement range (AMR), calibration and calibration verification testing of all instruments, stains, media and reagents. Maintains adequate records of procedures carried out, results obtained, and logging in of specimens. Performs computer functions/operations as required to report patient test results and other pertinent laboratory data. Maintains permanent records of tests, standards, controls, etc., for reference and statistical purposes. Documents anything unusual in any of these categories (e.g., quality control data, reports of critical calls, critical values, etc.) Monitors the quality control system for equipment, reagents and test protocols. Evaluates results and implements corrective action when indicated. Ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data, ensures discrepancies are identified and attended. Obtains data and complies with the practices, procedures and techniques described in the quality assurance plan. Adheres to quality control measures, suggests new or revised methods of control and of collecting and evaluating quality control data. Maintains statistics for percent normal vs abnormal findings and comparative studies performed, for molecular pathology testing. Solves testing problems, develops new solutions to testing problems, and perform newer/more complex tests and examinations. Participates in the performance of quality assurance programs, such as College of American Pathologists proficiency testing surveys, in order to maintain accreditation. Corrects deficiencies promptly. Advises physicians, nurses, medical students and other hospital personnel as to the proper specimen ordering, interpretation of laboratory test results and critical values. Proper disposal of biohazard material and decontamination procedures. Instructs medicine and pathology residents and infectious disease fellows as to principles and practice of clinical microbiology and clinical, immunology Responsible for maintaining a continuing record for each patient who has a highly contagious disease necessary for epidemiological studies and communicating this information to the supervisor. Processes completely and accurately all laboratory data in order to complete patient reports, including (1) Accession patient specimens accurately and according to laboratory policy, (2) Verify patient results accurately via computer and/or manual procedures, (3) Log rejected specimens according to laboratory/departmental policy, (4) Delete accessions according to laboratory policy. Maintains professional currency by subscribing to professional journals, attending professional seminars and participating in professional conferences or training. Work Schedule: 07:30am - 4:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Valarie.McDowell@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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