Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Prepares reports, maintains records, and performs administrative duties as assigned and presents work product to supervisor.
• Provides direction to the daily operations and assumes responsibility for integrating and monitoring standard laboratory protocols to maintain continuous workflow and quality within the unit.
• Prepares work schedules and assign tasks to ensure timely completion of duties and adjust work assignments due to absences or changes in priorities.
• Ensures laboratory resources are in optimal working condition and addresses workflow needs.
• Provides guidance and support of the work unit in supervisory absence at main facility, ACC, and CBOC locations.
• Research qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Evaluates new and evolving developments (market research) in laboratory instrumentation and automation.
• Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors and coordinates quality control activities with the supervisor.
• Performs moderate and high complexity testing in all assigned laboratory specialty areas. May be required to perform venipuncture and perform specimen processing.
• Trains personnel (including students) in methods, procedures and use of equipment and instruments specific to the assigned area.
• Maintains and calibrates instrumentation and equipment to ensure correct performance. Troubleshoots instrumentation and equipment problems during the shift to ensure uninterrupted testing.
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, TJC, AABB, and OSHA.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm or 3:00pm - 11:30pm, rotating weekends, holidays, and on-call
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• 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

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. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.
• Certification.
  • Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations.
    • (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
      • i ASCP, Board of Certification. OR
      • ii ASCP, Board of Registry.
    • (b) American Medical Technologists. OR
    • (c) American Association of Bioanalysts.

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:
Lead Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-07.

(a) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of techniques to instruct students and newly hired staff to properly perform tests and application of laboratory procedures.
• Skill in conducting laboratory procurement procedures to maintain appropriate levels of reagent and supply inventories.
• Ability to provide technical oversight to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload.
• Ability to plan staff training to address needs.

(c) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead MLTs independently perform duties of significant scope and complexity and assist with technician oversight. Lead MLTs lead three or more lab support positions, provide direction to the daily operations and assume responsibility for integrating and monitoring standard laboratory protocols to maintain continuous workflow and quality within the unit. Lead MLTs must do a combination of at least three of the following duties: prepare work schedules and assign tasks to ensure timely completion of duties; ensure laboratory resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs; provide guidance and support of the work unit in supervisory absence; train personnel (including students) in methods, procedures and use of equipment and instruments specific to the assigned area; provide input to supervisor on performance and training needs of employees; adjust work assignments due to absences or changes in priorities; resolve simple, informal complaints of employees and patients, refer more difficult problems to the supervisor; and recommend approval and/or disapproval of leave requests.


Preferred Experience: 2+ years of experience with training staff and students. Experience with esoteric and reference laboratory testing, specimen collection and processing, and analytic instrumentation. Venipuncture experience. 1+ years of scheduling experience.

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-7.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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.