Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens (Veterans' Preference does not apply). NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The duties and responsibilities of the Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) include but are not limited to:

• Performs specialized, high-complexity tasks in the areas advanced blood banking, molecular microbiology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in addition to generalist testing in hematology, chemistry, urinalysis and coagulation.
• Serves as a primary operator for specified equipment and assumes all primary operator responsibilities and duties required to maintain equipment in accordance with accreditation requirements.
• Evaluates the suitability of blood and body fluid specimens for analysis, requests new specimens if determined to be unusable.
• Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.
• 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.
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.
• Documents and maintains all quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs.
• Performs instrument to instrument correlations, new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance.
• 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.
• Generates laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system (LIS).
• Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Tracks down "missing" tubes, samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation.
• Performs proficiency surveys, linearity studies and other intra laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency.
• Participates in quality management and performance improvement activities by performing high complex testing for validation studies, collecting and reporting data, and recording workload statistics.
• Assists the Supervisors in ensuring proper preparation for inspections and accreditation by the applicable accrediting agencies: i.e., American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Assists in the maintenance and ordering of inventory and supplies required for efficient operation.
• Performs phlebotomy and collects samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Maintains effective written and oral communication with all VA personnel, medical staff, patients, and the public.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and wise decision-making skills through testing and reporting of laboratory results.

Assists in special projects, delegated assignments, and any other related duties, as assigned.

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.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.
• 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:

• Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(c). Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education: Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification. Graduates of foreign programs are considered to meet the basic education requirement if they have a current certification as described below.
• Certification: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) granted by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP Board of Certification or ASCP Board of Registry), American Medical Technologists, or American Association of Bioanalysts.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Grade Determinations: To qualify at the GS-7, in addition to the basic requirements for employment, applicants must also possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) and demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):

• 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.

Applicants 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).

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.

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

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of ConsiderationVeterans' Preference is not applicable for this specific occupational series per the Office of Chief Human Capital Officer Bulletin "FY2025 Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages". Eligible and qualified applications will be reviewed and referred in the following unranked order by grade level:

1. Current Permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.