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: English Language Proficiency: Medical technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.*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. 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 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:(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT OR (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) Grade Determinations:GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9 (Full Performance Level) Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), which is directly related to the position to be filled OR 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. References: VA Handbook VA 5005, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard, dated May 12, 2014The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 40 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (up to 8 hours), standing (up to 8 hours), 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 for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), depth perception. ["NOTE: This announcement will remain open until 28 February, or, until all vacancies are filled. Review of qualified applications received will be conducted weekly. The following duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: GS-7 Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, insuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Correctly identifies patient and correctly labels specimens. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes repairs. Independently judges the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Performs testing on CAP survey unknown specimens when assigned by the section supervisor. Adheres to all policies and procedures of P&LMS, including safety and security. Participates in continuing education efforts to an extent that the pre-determined continuing education hours are obtained each year. Maintains adequate supply levels and communicates to the supervisor of supply needs. Other duties as assigned. GS-9 In addition to GS-7 duties and responsibilities: Performs procedures in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), serology; microbiology, flow cytometry, molecular pathology &/or specimen procurement & processing areas Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow & the understanding of laboratory processes Prepares reagents & primary reference materials, assembles equipment, verifies correct instrument operation; standardizes, performs, & calculates results for a variety of complex tests such as special stains and procedures associated with whole blood and microbiological specimens, specialty chemical stains, body fluid analysis differentials & smears, cardiac panels, cross matching blood, etc. Selects, performs, evaluates, & monitors the performance of routine, non-routine, & specialized test procedures using manual techniques and/or instruments Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic, and morphologic data with other laboratory data &/or other patient data to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports results Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, & products. Maintains proper records for all quality control reports Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks. Identifies common problems and makes necessary adjustments or repairs Resolves problems involving other services, involves supervisor if needed Maintains safety and cleanliness of laboratory. Follows all appropriate OSHA and HIPPA guidelines Works with management to assure laboratory is in compliance with the regularity agency requirements & guidelines Maintains appropriate professional credentials Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 2:00pm- 12:00am, with occasional weekend coverage Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #:54347-0/54348-0 EDRP Authorized: Contact Kellie Nevel at Kellie.Nevel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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