Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: This is an open continuous announcement. Certificates of qualified applicants will be referred every 15 days.

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"This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19." Selectees MUST be available and ready to work immediately.

The medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas. He or she also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. This level is considered a full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. Duties include but no limited to:

- Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, insuring that the physiologic stale of the specimen properties is maintained.
- Participates in specimen procurement.
Prepares reagents and primary reference materials, assembles equipment, verifies correct instrument operation; standardizes. performs, and. calculates results for a variety of complex tests such as special stains and procedures associated with whole blood and microbiological specimens, special cytochemical stains, body fluid analysis differentials and smears, cardiac panels, crossmatching blood, etc.
- Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine, non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual techniques and/or instruments in accordance with established protocols; recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction, locates problem and implements corrections; evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic, and morphologic data with other laboratory data and/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 and products and maintains proper records for all quality control reports.
- Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Examines functions of instruments, rechecks conditions of test performance, evaluate reaction sys terns and/or procedural techniques utilized. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks. Identifies the cause of common problems with symptoms and makes necessary adjustments or repairs.
- Accepts referrals of abnormal or unusual results and observations from lower-grade laboratory personnel. Advises on course of action to follow when values obtained from standard or control sample values are unacceptable.
- Resolves problems involving other services (expectations, communication, etc.) when appropriate; refers problems beyond area of responsibility to supervisory personnel.
- Evaluates 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. Reviews test results to detect clerical errors, significant analytical errors, and unusual laboratory results.
- Assists in training new personnel, lower graded personnel, and students from appropriate training programs (including classroom lectures when requested and bench instruction) in various areas of the laboratory (basic principles and practical application). Prepares continuing education for the service staff when requested. Supplements prescribed course content and instructional materials as necessary.
- Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of the clinical laboratory; notifies supervisor when supply levels reach 7 days or less.
- Maintains safety and cleanliness of laboratory. Follows all appropriate HIPP A guidelines.
- Works with management to assure laboratory is in compliance with regulatory agency requirements and guidelines.
- Maintains appropriate professional credentials.
- Works off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, and in other sections of the laboratory as priorities shows a need.
- Performs other related duties as assigned within scope of knowledge and skills. Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm (rotating holidays)
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2020.

Basic Requirements:
a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
b. 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, 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).

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.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-7 (Entry Level)
a. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
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.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 MAY 12, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G24

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.

Physical Requirements:
This includes physical characteristics and abilities (e.g., distant and color vision, hearing, specific agility and dexterity requirements) and the physical functional requirements of the work. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, lifting moderately heavy items such as reagent packs and adequate dexterity to perform intricate procurement of specimens or analysis procedures.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; religions; 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.