The Medical Technologist facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with management. Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation and compliance. 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. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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). See below in the Education Section for more information. Preferred Experience: None Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of a Lead Medical Technologist. (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. OR, (b) Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field. (c) Assignments. These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. (d) Knowledge, Skills & Ability: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. b. Knowledge of regulatory, licensing and accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations in order to plan, implement or monitor laboratory programs and services. c. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. d. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation. e. Ability to provide technical oversight in order to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 Dated May 12, 2014: Medical Technologist Qualification Standard GS-644 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, repetitive motion, bending or lifting up to 40 lbs. In many situations, the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination and use of both arms. Must have color vision. ["The Medical Technologist acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. The employee must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. The incumbent has wide latitude for exercising independent judgment within the scope of testing and will perform high-level duties of significant scope, complexity and range of variety at least 25% of the time while under supervisory review. Prepares reports, maintains records, administrative information, Prepares and presents work-related information to supervisor. Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors. Performs qualitative and quantitative moderate and complex testing methods in all the assigned laboratory specialty areas. Is responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation. Maintains and calibrates instrumentation and equipment to ensure correct performance. Troubleshoots instrumentation and equipment problems during the shift to ensure uninterrupted testing. Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintain current instrumentation. Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation. Performs all assigned duties in a timely and efficient manner. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, TJC, AABB, and OSHA. Coordinates quality control activities with the supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (7:00am - 15:30pm).\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]