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. 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. (NOTE: This applies to the past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT) only. HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).) 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. 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.) (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). AND Completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agent 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, (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). 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 Technologist (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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). ~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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). 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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). Foreign Graduates: 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 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: NOTE: You must provide updated copies of all certifications with your application. Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as an MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, and AMT. 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) 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). Grade Determinations: GS-9 Full Performance Level: Experience: At least 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, Education: Must have master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. (If using education to qualify for GS-9 consideration, you should submit a copy of transcripts with application). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. 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 laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes. 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, Medical Technologist Qualifications Standards dated May 12, 2014. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending over microscopes, manipulating small parts, lifting moderate to heavy weights (approximately 50 lbs), and changing gas tank cylinders. Accurate color vision is required. ["The work performed is in the clinical microbiology lab and includes bacteriology and molecular microbiology. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals, and others in the medical center setting including the public. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. Performs complex laboratory procedures. Recognizes deviation from expected results. Analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles with immediate or general supervision. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements with immediate or general supervision. Knowledgeable in medical laboratory microbiology with a specialized awareness of the pathognomy and pathogenesis of microbiological disease states, what particular organisms cause certain diseases, in what manner, and how to recover or discover the presence or absence of isolates through a wide variety of testing methodologies. Knowledgeable in microbiology plate reading for both aerobic and anaerobic cultures. During identification testing, the incumbent is fully knowledgeable regarding appearance of \"Bio Level III\", (highly infective) agents and what special and critical steps are required to ensure containment, safety, and notification of management. Knowledgeable in antimicrobial susceptibility testing for both aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Performance of antibiotic sensitivity requires a fully knowledgeable on all classes of antibiotics tested, the spectrum of efficacy of specific drugs within each class, what antibiotics are suitable or inappropriate for organism type and where dangerously misleading results are possible if certain bug/ drug combinations are reported. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction with immediate or general supervision. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement with immediate or general supervision. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace with immediate or general supervision. Incumbent uses only approved Biohazard level II or as needed, level III safety protocols in the performance of tasks. Throughout processing and subsequent testing, incumbent is able to accurately label materials and subcultures; and correctly and legibly record all data associated with the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases in order to guarantee the report generated belongs to patient's sample. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions with immediate or general supervision. Assists in the training of lower grade new employees and students. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results with immediate or general supervision. in collaboration with senior technologists interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance, using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday, WILL include weekends or holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 23007-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants EDRP Authorized: Contact Cora Prichard, cora.prichard@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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