Clarification from the agency

VETERANS PREFERENCE IS WAIVED ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT PER HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT LETTER (HRML) 05-19-12. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, VETERANS, AND THE PUBLIC. AREA OF CONSIDERATION IS AS FOLLOWS: 1. Current Permanent VA Employees 2. Other Current Permanent Federal Employees 3. Public

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The functions and duties of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following:

• Properly collect, handle, accession, and label specimens according to, but not limited to safety, patient identification and infection control policies. Instruct Medical Center or CBOC personnel on preliminary procedures in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Users guide.
• Evaluate the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.
• Select, perform, evaluate and monitor the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognize and react to indicators of malfunction; locate and implement corrections.
• Conduct quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintain proper records for quality control reports.
• Operate a variety of instruments such as electronic cell counter, discrete chemistry analyzer, discrete urinalysis analyzer, centrifuge, microscope and others.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust and maintain instruments. Verify correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identify the cause of common problems and make simple repairs, difficult repairs or malfunctions are resolved with assistance of manufacturer technical service center.
• Evaluate the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlate quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, and medications) to verify results.
• Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognize 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.
• Work off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, and in other sections of the laboratory.
• Assist with coverage when there is shortage of staff.
• Assist in the orientation and training of new employees.
• Assist in development and maintenance and modification of various computer applications liaison are maintained with technical representatives to correct computer programming and to resolve common problems.
• Maintain appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of the assigned section.
• Participate in activities associated with process improvement, customer service, age specific considerations, data driven decision-making, and team driven change. Each employee will ensure they complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education on TQI.
• Follow all standards of the American College of Pathologists (CAP) at all times in the section and participate in activities as directed by Lab Manager so the section will qualify for accreditation by CAP.
• Follow all standards of other accreditation agencies JCAHO, FDA, IG and others at all times in the section.
• Participate in the quality control program for the section, assure that appropriate records are maintained. Report complaints from the hospital staff concerning questionable results to Laboratory Manager.
• Participate in the performance of CAP survey unknown specimens and prepare the appropriate work sheets for the Laboratory Manager. Document corrective action taken on out-of-range CAP survey results.
• Act as a consultant, communicating and interacting with other members of the laboratory, healthcare team, external relations, customers and patients.
• Perform the work requiring regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods, bending over instruments and performing phlebotomy and performance of other physical tasks.
• Perform routine work utilizing established protocols for chemical, infectious and other safety and fire, and accident hazards having knowledge of possible carcinogenic agents' blood-borne and other pathogens. Utilize protective equipment necessary and required and including special techniques to avoid risks.
• Accomplish and perform other duties as may become necessary and within the scope of clinical laboratory.
• Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the section in which they are working.

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

Basic Requirements
A. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

B. 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.

C. Certification. Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:
Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.
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.

Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series. Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary
appointment.

Loss of Credential. Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment.

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).

Preferred Experience: Candidates must currently possess or qualify to obtain a generalist certification.

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, which is directly related to the position to be filled.
OR
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:
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, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard.

The 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: Perform the work requiring regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods, bending over instruments, and performing phlebotomy and performance of other physical tasks. Perform routine work utilizing established protocols for chemical, infectious, and other safety, fire, and accident hazards having knowledge of possible carcinogenic agents, blood-borne, and other pathogens. Utilize protective equipment necessary and required and including special techniques to avoid risks.

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.