This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education and/or Experience Combination: (1) 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, (2) 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, (3) 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.(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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. Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.(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).Loss of Credential: Once certified, Medical Technologists must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential: Once certified, Medical Technologists must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment Preferred Experience: Five years of work experience as a generalist Medical Technologist in a hospital setting with ASCP or AMT certification as MT, MLS, or CLS Three years of transfusion service experience in a hospital setting One year of work experience in a leadership or supervisory role in a clinical laboratory One year of experience utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, or Power Point presentations One year of experience working on multidisciplinary teams or committees in a hospital setting Grade Determinations: GS-11 (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level GS-9, which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) Assignments. The incumbent serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Examples include, but are not limited to, molecular/deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/genetic testing, bone marrow examination, and flow cytometry. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. Applies policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor and maintain the specialized testing. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): a. Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. b. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. c. Advanced knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures. d. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. e. Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: See Additional Information Section. ["The incumbent serves as the Medical Technologist (Technical Specialist) for the transfusion medicine (immunohematology/blood banking) specialty area of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) of the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS). The Technical Specialist in the transfusion medicine department of P&LMS serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. The Technical Specialist analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods of testing. The incumbent applies policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor and maintain the specialized testing. The Technical Specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or a member of laboratory management. The incumbent advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized transfusion medicine testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. The incumbent advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. The incumbent is responsible for providing training and consultation to all P&LMS staff and students as well as consultations to all AVAHCS staff members involved in transfusions. The incumbent ensures facility transfusion policies and procedures are compliant with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements. The Technical Specialist establishes and monitors the quality of the analytical processes of the transfusion service as part of the overall laboratory quality management program and conducts corrective actions as needed. The Technical Specialist for transfusion medicine is an active participant in the medical center's Transfusion Utilization Committee and provides statistical data and consultation pertaining to the facility's transfusion policies and services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 3:00pm, Rotate weekends and Holidays per needs of service\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for a Highly Qualified Candidate\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]