The position is that of a Health Technician assigned to provide phlebotomy support for both in and outpatients at Louis A Johnson VAMC and patients at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility. The incumbent will perform support diagnostic procedures such as phlebotomy. accession specimens, and perform other necessary tasks to ensure appropriate specimen receipt, handling, and processing to ensure accurate, reliable laboratory results. 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. 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 5 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. 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 (FPL), 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). Grandfathering Provision. MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: 1) MTs that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the FPL (journey), or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. 2) MTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. 3) MTs initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. 4) If MTs who were retained in this occupation under this provision leave the occupation, the MT loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements. In addition to the below; have the mental, emotional, and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and pass the requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies. English Language Proficiency. Proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations: GS-9 Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-7)*, which is directly related to the position to be filled.*Examples of assignments at the GS-7 grade level include but are not limited to: Assignment: Employees at this level serve in an entry level Medical Technologist (MT) career development position practicing under close supervision of an MT at or above the full performance level. OR Education. Have a Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. AND Knowledge Skills Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: 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, Part II, Appendix G24 dated 5/12/2014.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-9.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of a GS-09. Physical Requirements: Requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as prolonged standing, bending - such as 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 reagent packs) and wrist strain due to prolonged use of keyboards. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities, such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. ["The medical technologist meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. He/She consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. He/She handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Major Duties: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements. 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. Performs and documents quality control and quality improvement activities (including critical callback communications) and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.- Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interprets results and identifies situations for repeat testing or recollection. Assists in the process of evaluation and implementation of new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (peers, healthcare providers, patients, and others) Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines to meet departmental policies related to testing turnaround times. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Various work days and tour of duties available. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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