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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2023 or until all positions are filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 28, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates of every two weeks until all positions are filled.

Current, permanent Federal employee, you should apply using announcement: CBST-11686061-23-DB.

Duties 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.
• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. In addition, performs complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles with immediate or general supervision.
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
• Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction with immediate or general supervision.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements.
• Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of the clinical laboratory.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors.
• In collaboration with senior technologists interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures.
• Assists with 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. Interprets findings and makes recommendations.

Work Schedule: Second shift, with either Four 10 hour days or Five 8 hour days with rotating weekends and holidays
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized: Contact jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a
• Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below or meet the exception listed in (3):
  1. Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT, OR;
  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).
  3. 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.

NOTE: IF YOU ARE CERTIFIED, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT CERTIFICATION AT TIME OF APPLICATION.
Education/Experience: Candidates can the meet experience/education requirement by the following ways:
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 Technologist 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 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.
Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following:
(1) A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree.
(2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination.

Grade Determinations:

GS-07 (Entry level):
Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 (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.
(NOTE: IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY FOR THIS GRADE LEVEL, YOU MUST PROVIDE TRANSCRIPT SHOWING RECEIPT OF ADVANCED EDUCATION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this grade level).
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: Medical Technologist Qualification Standard, VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24.

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: 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

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.