This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/464096200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is a tertiary care teaching hospital providing the highest level quality care from cardiology to neurology to primary and mental health care for 70,000 Veterans along the South Carolina and Georgia coast. For the past two years, the Ralph H. Johnson VA achieved an overall annual 5-Star rating according to VA's Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning Value (SAIL) model. The Charleston VA is also ranked in the top 10th percentile according to the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). HEDIS is an independent review that measures performance of 90 percent of America's health plans and facilities in both the public and private sector on dimensions of care and service. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is a center of excellence for robotic surgery and orthopedics, and is the first VA National Tele-Mental Health Hub providing care for Veterans across the U.S. The 149-bed hospital includes six community based outpatient clinics, a 20-bed nursing home, women's health, and the full range of inpatient and outpatient care, including medical and surgical intensive care. The VAMC provides more than 875,000 outpatient visits and approximately 4,400 in-patient stays annually. With more than 2,500 employees, Charleston VA has an annual budget of $458 million, research funding of more than $21 million, and more than 100 principle investigators participating in approximately 300 research studies. For more information, visit www.charleston.va.gov.
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.
Learn more about this agency02/10/2017 to 05/10/2017
$45,970 - $71,484 per year
GS 07 - 09
Few vacancies in the following location:
Not required
No
Permanent - Excepted Service Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
09
No
NZ-17-MN-1911986-OCA-BU
464096200
The incumbent serves as a Generalist Medical Technologist in the clinical laboratory with responsibility for performing the full range of tests in Hematology/Coagulation, Blood Bank, Automated Chemistry, General Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Urinalysis, Microbiology and Molecular Microbiology; evaluating abnormal results; notifying physicians of critical lab results; using and maintaining equipment; accessioning all laboratory specimens; verifying results through the computer; and setting up and monitoring quality controls. The generalist Medical Technologist rotates through all sections of Laboratory Service as required and also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need.The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist (Generalist) include, but are not limited to, the following: Processes specimens including CAP performance surveys using equipment, instruments, computers, or techniques that are necessary to prepare them for specific analysis; responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state and integrity of the specimen is maintained. Prepares reagents, controls, and standard solutions; verifies correct instrument operations; calibrates instrumentation when necessary, performs routine maintenance, troubleshoots instruments; performs and calculates results for a variety of tests. 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 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. 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. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Actively participates in both elective and all mandatory continuing education as required by laboratory and medical center administration (i.e. fire & safety, infection control, EEO yearly training, laboratory specific education, etc.). Employees who participate in continuing education offered outside the medical center may be required to present to their peers a short synopsis of the program they attended. The attendance for this short segment is documented. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity and sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results. Accepts supplies, labels with date received, puts away supplies, stocks work area and keeps the stockroom orderly and clean.
Work Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week; Multiple Tours Available
Work Location: This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Service Line located at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.
Functional Statement Title/#: Medical Technologist
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending over microscopes, etc. The work involves regular and recurring risks on discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory, e.g., working with infectious substances and irritant reagents. The technologist follows standard precautions guidelines at all times by wearing protective clothing such as coats, goggles, or gloves and takes special safety precautions such as adopting sterile techniques. The technologist follows all safety regulations as detailed in the Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy).
Education and/or Experience Combination
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.
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 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. OR (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for certification examination.
Certification
For the Medical Technologist (Generalist), Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.
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.
Preferred Experience:
Recent Clinical Lab experience in the four main sections of the laboratory which include Blood Bank, Chemistry, Microbiology and Hematology.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.eg., professional; philanthropic; religious; 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.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
a. Creditable Experience:
(1) Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice: For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment.
(2) Quality of Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled.
(3) Part-time Experience: Part-time experience as a MT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, a MT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.
(4) Graduate Education: Graduate education and graduate degrees may be substituted as specified at each grade level. Education must have been from an accredited college or university in a field related to MT (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology, biological science, physiology, allied health education, health systems administration, infection control and preventive medicine), which was accredited at the time the candidate completed the program.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
(1) GS-7 (Entry Level):(a) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
(2) GS-9 (Full Performance Level)(a) Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which is directly related to the position to be filled.OR, (b)Education: Must have Master's Degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field.(c)Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Ability. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs listed in the preferred experience section above.
Applicants who qualify at the GS-9 level must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
1. Comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science 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. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
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.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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 and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: 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. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
The following documents are required. You must provide a complete Application Package which includes the below documents. *IF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE NOT PROVIDED, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT RECEIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND YOU WILL BE RATED AS INELIGIBLE.*
Required Documents
1) VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf) (required).
2) Resume. A resume describing your job-related qualification is required and must be in English. It should contain each position title, grade (if Federal), your duties, accomplishments, the dates you held each position in mm/yy format, and your work schedule and salary so we may best assess your qualifications.
3) Transcripts. A copy of your transcript showing degree and confer date. Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rate ineligible for this position. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain the applicant's name, name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded. 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.
4) SF-50. If you are a current federal employee you must upload your current (non-award) SF-50 showing highest grade, tenure held.
Please use this checklistto make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1911986.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking on "Application Status." For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
Area of Consideration (AOC):
First AOC will be given to permanent employees at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.
Second AOC will be given to permanent employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Third AOC will be given to permanent Federal employees.
Fourth AOC will be given to all U.S. Citizens.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/464096200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 1911986
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
This announcement will be used on an ongoing basis to fill multiple positions until December 31, 2017. Qualified applicants will be referred as vacancies occur.
Recruitment or Relocation incentive may be approved for highly qualified candidates.