Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, other current permanent Federal employees, and the public.

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Incumbent uses their comprehensive knowledge of professional lab principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.
• Properly collects handles, accessions, and labels specimens according to but not limited to safety, patient identification and infection control policies.
• Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.
• Operates a variety of instruments such as electronic cell counter, discrete chemistry analyzer, discrete urinalysis analyzer, centrifuge, microscope, and others.
• 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 development and maintenance and modification of various computer applications liaison are maintained with technical representatives to correct computer programming and to resolve common problems.
• Participates 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 Performance Improvement.
• Participates in the quality control program for each section, assures that appropriate records are maintained. Reports complaints from the hospital staff concerning questionable results to Laboratory Manager.
• Performs 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. Utilizes protective equipment necessary and required and including special techniques to avoid risks.
• Performs the full range of moderate and high complexity laboratory testing on any/all laboratory shifts including (but not limited to) duty on weekends, holidays, nights, on-call rotation and/or other shifts. Incumbent may be required to rotate/work different shifts. Incumbent may be assigned to rotate to different areas of the laboratory at times of peak workload.
• Any clinical laboratory and/or medical center task that is critical to the mission of the department and VHA as delegated by the Laboratory Manager and/or Laboratory Director.

Work Schedule: Dayshift 0500-1330 (Mon-Fri); Midshift 1330-2130 (Mon-Fri); CWS 4×10 tours of 1330-2330 (Sun-Wed or Wed-Sat); Nightshift 2200-0630 (Mon-Fri); and CWS Nightshift 2000-0600 (Wed-Sat).
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54205F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.

Certification: All Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations:(a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

• ASCP, Board of Certification. OR,
• ASCP, Board of Registry.

(b) American Medical Technologists. OR,(c) American Association of Bioanalysts

Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may receive a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed two years as a graduate MLT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend.

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: In addition to the Basic Requirements, your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required for each grade level.

Advanced Medical Technician, GS-07
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

• Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
• Skill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing.
• Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of laboratory information technology (IT) systems including troubleshooting systems issues, interface requirements between new instruments and existing IT infrastructure and laboratory IT test development.
• Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with continuing education and employee orientation to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements.
• Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards.
• Ability to assist with quality management activities in the laboratory, including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP, conducting quality improvement activities and communicating quality management results.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with current Laboratory Information System (VISTA).
• Experience working off shift in clinical laboratory.
• Experience performing maintenance/quality control on automated hematology, chemistry, coagulation, urinalysis.
• Competent in drawing blood and blood cultures.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (up to 40 lbs.); Heavy Carrying (up to 40 lbs.); Straight Pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1-2 hours); Reaching above shoulder (occasional); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (1 hour); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Sitting (up to 6 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted)

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, resume, 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.