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. 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 (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. 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, iASCP-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). 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. Grade Determinations: (1) GS-7 (Entry Level) (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) 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. (c) 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 ["An MT may be assigned to one or more departments encompassing the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service: Core. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Additional section work includes referral lab specimen processing. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborates in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; oversight/instruction/performance of specimen collection and handling requirements inclusive of phlebotomy; and provide education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner. 1. Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. 2. 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. 3. Requires a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. 4. Carries out the day-to-day operations in the assigned Department within the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. 5. Performs blood type and screen for antibodies following VBEC's protocols for data entry at each step. 6. Performs crossmatch of compatible blood and processing of FFP, platelets, and other components, while maintaining awareness of state and critical request. 7. Perform specimen processing, receiving all specimens that arrive in-house, Lab OPD, and CBOC's, ensuring patient identification is verified and maintained. 8. Remain vigilant at all times for critical values, immediately informing provider and documenting all elements of the critical call process in VistA. 9. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. 10. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/automated techniques. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; tests include complex as well as routine analysis. 11. Recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. 12. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction, locates and implements corrections. 13. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements. 14. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. 15. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. 16. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. 17. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. 18. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. 19. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Work Schedule: Multiple shifts available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None EDRP Authorized: Yes Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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