Clarification from the agency

This position is covered by AFGE bargaining unit. Per the AFGE Master Agreement, the Area of Consideration will be: 1st Area of Consideration - Current Facility and CBOC employees. 2nd Area of Consideration - VA Nationwide applicants. 3rd Area of Consideration - Federal employees of other agencies. If you are not a current, permanent Federal employee, you should apply under CBST-10735273-20-ER.

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The duties of the Medical Technologist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service include but are not 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 state of the specimen properties is maintained.
• 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 systems 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 safety and cleanliness of laboratory. Follows all appropriate HIPPA guidelines.
• Works with management to assure laboratory is in compliance with regulatory agency requirements and guidelines.
• Maintains appropriate professional credentials.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Night shift 10:00pm - 8 am (10-hour shifts) Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. This is a Weekend schedule. Subject to change based on agency needs.
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

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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.
  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).
  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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.

Grandfathering Provision. All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply:
(1) MTs that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(2) MTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) MTs initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) If MTs who were retained in this occupation under this provision leave the occupation, the MT loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:
Med Tech, GS-10
Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09, which is directly related to the position to be filled. This experience includes but is not limited to: perform procedures in the area of chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), serology, microbiology, and specimen procurement and processing, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation, set priorities and complete assignments, analyze and interpret lab results, and communicate with other healthcare teams.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques.
(b) Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems.
(c) Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements.
(d) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Preferred Experience: None.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G24.

This position is above full performance level at the GS-10 grade.

Physical Requirement: This position requires regular and reoccurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies and materials, lifting moderately heavy items (15-44 pounds) such as reagent packs and adequate dexterity to perform intricate procurement of specimens or analysis procedures. The incumbent will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.

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.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.