This position may be filled at the GS-7 or GS-9 level. A Medical Technologist (MT) at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MT develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and/or Experience. 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. Certification. Candidates must have one of the following: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. OR 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, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Employees at this level serve in an entry level MT career development position practicing under close supervision of an MT at or above the full performance level. GS-9 (Full Performance Level) 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. Examples of credible experience include: a comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories; 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; knowledge of lab equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work on as a team member and effectively complete assignments; ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret lab results; ability to read and apply complex written instructions; skill in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes; and the ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. OR Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 8. Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. Preferred Experience: Recent (within the past 3 years) generalist experience in the areas of Blood Banking, Hematology, Coagulation, General Chemistry and Urinalysis. References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 May 12, 2014 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagents packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. ["As a rotating medical technologist, knowledge, duties, and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. b. 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. c. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. d. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. e. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. f. Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. g. Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes. h. Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. i. Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling. j. Evaluates suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable and properly documents such actions. Prepares specimens for analysis, insuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained. Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results. k. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective actions. If unable to resolve immediately notifies the Supervisory Medical Technologist or designated In-Charge Medical Technologist. l. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Documents all activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed including troubleshooting. Retrieves control data from equipment or logs for submission to inter-laboratory comparison programs. m. 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/corrections. Performs proficiency testing and maintains records for proficiency testing according to CAP and laboratory standards. n. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal panic values and notifies in a timely manner appropriate hospital personnel with the findings according to Laboratory-Hospital policy. Adheres to Medical Center policy in reporting and documenting of all critical testing results. o. Accepts referrals of abnormal or unusual results and observations from lower-grade laboratory personnel. Advises on a course of action to follow when standard and control sample values are unacceptable. p. 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. q. Follows the laboratory established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the established levels of performance. Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory established performance specifications. r. Complies with all Medical Center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. Demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocol to include universal precautions, sharps handling, MSDS safety program, use of personal protective equipment in designated areas, and performance of proper hand washing techniques. s. Assists in developing and verifying protocols for new instruments and procedures. If assigned by the Supervisory Medical Technologist, revises, creates, and/or maintains section procedure manual of the Clinical Laboratory according to guidelines promulgated by the College of American Pathologists and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). t. Assists in the training of new employees or lower grade MT. u. Requests supplies when current inventories are dropping, ensuring that adequate time is allowed for ordering and delivery. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, either 3pm - 11:30pm or 3:30pm - 12am, holidays and weekends on a rotational basis. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #91238-A and 91184-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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