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. 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. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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. 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). English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate would have a Bachelor's degree (BS) in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science with ASCP certification: MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP). The applicant should have a demonstrated history of job stability and minimum of 3 continuous years' experience working independently on an evening or overnight shift in a core laboratory, including experience in Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, and Blood Bank. Grade Determinations: GS-10 (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. Experience at the GS-9 position include: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT 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; and 8. Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. (b) In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, bending over microscope, reaching for supplies or material, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. ["Medical Technologists at this level generally have a higher level of professional oversight responsibilities and may have responsibility for a specific large-scale automated analytical instrument system; a specific area of laboratory functions, such as employee competency records, supply functions, laboratory safety, quality control review, new method development or employee or student training; or provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and technologists on alternate tours of duty. The duties of the Medical Technologist-Advanced Staff Technologist include, but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures, without direct supervision, including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist /clinical laboratory scientist occupation. Incumbent is assigned to rotate to different areas of the laboratory during ENW tours for optimal patient care. Receives, accessions, and processes incoming samples per SOP from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory. Advanced and complex procedures include, but are not limited to, performing manual differentials, estimating WBC & Platelet counts from stained peripheral blood smears, manual hematocrits, manual microscopic examination of urine sediments; culture set-up and smear prep and reading, Screening for infectious diseases on a variety of PCR and Molecular instruments, Blood Culture evaluation & reporting; ABO, Rh, Antibody Screening, Crossmatch, Antibody Identification, component preparation and dispensing/ inventory maintenance and performing CAP proficiency testing. Recognizes deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction in these same departments (Chemistry, Hematology, Immunochemistry, Microbiology, Transfusion Medicines and Urinalysis) and initiates corrective actions as deemed appropriate. Informs the supervisor of malfunctions and status of corrective actions implemented. Performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Follows standard operating procedures (SOP) in all applicable areas to assure accuracy of laboratory results. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, taking into account physiologic processes and requirements for all departments in the laboratory on the alternate tour shift. Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance. Maintains the confidentiality of medical records by adhering to applicable HIPPA and ADP guidelines for all patient medical data. Oversees training of Medical Technologists and Medical Laboratory Technicians Provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees, residents and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Follows safety policies, universal precautions and uses personal protective equipment (PPE) for which the incumbent has been issued and trained to use for the task being performed per facility Safety and Infection Control policies. Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed. Recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments. Manages reagent and expendables inventory to ensure patient testing is not interrupted and utilizes laboratory supplies in a cost-effective manner with a minimum of waste. Responsible for daily QC of an instrument or test system. Serves as primary operator on new test systems, Participates in Section Performance Improvement projects as assigned. Serves as a rotating member of the SLVHCS Pathology Hurricane Team. Additional duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. Work Schedule: Alternate TOD \"7-on / 7-Off\"; (Overnight shift: 7 PM - 7 AM, inclusive of weekends and holidays) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 629-00078-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact christopher.billiot@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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