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Medical Technologist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Medical Technologists/ Clinic Laboratory Specialists (MT/CLS) carry out routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MT develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology hematology, immunology, blood banking and distribution.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/01/2020 to 07/22/2020
Salary
$52,905 to - $68,777 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
Little Rock, AR
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBST-10852599-20-AMA
Control number
572418800

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Duties

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Internal JOA: If you are a current, permanent Federal employee, you should apply under CBST-20-10852600-AMA

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to):

  • Performing a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical technologist occupation;
  • Performing advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results;
  • Evaluating and solving problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements.
  • Maintaining and documenting the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
  • Using, calibrating, identifying malfunctions, repairs, and performing preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnosing deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.
  • Performing and documenting quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
  • Adhering to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
  • Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions;
  • Answering inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results;
  • Evaluating and implementing new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge;
  • Incorporating principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/ continuing education program;
  • Communicating effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member;
  • Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines;
Work Schedule: This position requires working on the weekends and holidays including phlebotomy.
Week One
Monday 0700-1530
Tuesday 0700-1530
Wednesday 0700-1530
Thursday 0700-1530
Friday 2300-2400
Saturday 0000-0700 & 2300-2400
Sunday 0000-0700
Week Two
Monday 0700-1530
Tuesday 0700-1530
Wednesday 0700-1530
Thursday 0700-1530
Friday OFF
Saturday OFF
Sunday OFF

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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
  • Resume must include number of hours worked per week or designate if work performed is full-time or part-time

Qualifications

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.
  • Education/ Experience: 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.
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).

Grade Determinations: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07), which is directly related to the position to be filled OR a Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. In addition to these requirements, candidates must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although there may be some walking or standing; carrying of light items such as manuals, blood supplies, and small instruments; driving a bloodmobile or similar vehicle; etc. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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