"When I realized all of the opportunities that being a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) provides - the versatility you get with only one degree - I said sign me up! It's a really wonderful career."
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. 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: 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.). (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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 fouryear 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, (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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, (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) 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). (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) 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). Preferred Experience: At least one year of clinical laboratory experience preferred. Must have or be eligible to obtain a generalist certification. Grade Determinations: GS-10: Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. 2. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. 3. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. 4. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, May 12, 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: This position involves light carrying and light lifting (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1-4. Both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to distinguish shades of colors. Work may involve working closely with others or working alone. ["Duties may include, but are not limited to: Preceptors for all students from the University of North Dakota Medical Laboratory Science Program and other facilities, coordinate department rotations, complete evaluations, provide study material, and monitor/coordinate student testing. Coordinates department rotations, completes competency assessment, and provides feedback to the supervisor. Works with department supervisors to ensure all competencies for employees are completed on a timely basis. Performs, monitors, and reviews daily quality control program for the chemistry and urinalysis department; interprets and records the results of quality control tests and assigns corrective action in case of failure to meet them. Reviews all daily chemistry and urinalysis workload, checks for accuracy, completeness, and any instrumentation shifting or trending. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results. Allocates appropriate actions for technologists to make corrections and solve problems. Conducts literature search if indicated. Works in close association with the supervisor responsible for chemistry and urinalysis to ensure overall smooth operation of the department. Checks for precision, accuracy, and analytical sensitivity of chemistry and urinalysis analyzers. Maintains an accurate inventory for the laboratory, ordering all necessary supplies as required on a weekly basis. Functions as the laboratory safety officer and chemical hygiene officer, maintaining all SDS sheets as well as the chemical hygiene plan. Collects, handles, accessions, and labels specimens according to but not limited to safety, patient identification and infection control policies. Instructs Medical Center or CBOC personnel on preliminary procedures in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Users guide. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Inspects all blood products received in blood bank upon arrival. Monitor's expiration dates, and storage temperatures daily. Inspects blood products for contamination, breakage and returns products prior to the expiration date. Releases routine and emergency use blood and plasma according to standard operating procedures. Monitors and replaces temperature charts according to policy. Evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; troubleshoots and implements corrections. Maintains records for instrument failures and corrections. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Participates in the quality control program for the Section, assures that appropriate records are maintained. Operates a variety of instruments such as electronic cell counter, discrete chemistry analyzer, discrete urinalysis analyzer, centrifuge, microscope and others. Calibrates and performs maintenance on equipment. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Difficult repairs or malfunctions are resolved with assistance of manufacture technical service center. Document's calibrations and maintenance performed as required for accreditation Assists with coverage when there is shortage of staff. m. Assists in the orientation and training of new employees. Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of the assigned section. Participates in activities associated with process improvement, customer service, age specific considerations, data driven decision-making, and team driven change. Each employee will ensure they complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education on TMS Performs other duties as may become necessary and within the scope of clinical laboratory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0600 - 1430, holiday, weekend, and on-call rotation. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the EDRP Coordinator, Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.