Serves as a Medical Technologist in the microbiology section of the clinical laboratory, Northport VA campus, with responsibility for performing complex recognition and identification procedures including infrequently requested tests, evaluating unusual results, using and maintaining equipment, setting up and monitoring quality control. Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. OR (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, in microbiology (M/SM). 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. 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 Requirements: GS-9 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, you must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, (b) Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. (c) 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. 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. (d) Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A 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. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G24, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated May 12, 2014. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Completion of a satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only is a must. Depending upon the area of the Laboratory assigned, there may be long periods of standing, sitting, walking; long periods of using microscope; or long periods of specimen processing. Other physical exertion may include 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). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures and color vision. Additionally, there are long periods of concentration and working under pressure to produce accurate test results as quickly as possible. ["The Medical Technologist (Microbiology) performs general bacteriology culture identification and susceptibility testing; Parasitology specimen preparation and identification; Mycobacteriology specimen concentrations, slide prep., staining, I.D., and susceptibilities Mycology, slide preparation, staining and identification; Accessioning and inoculation of specimens. Prepares smears and stains them with appropriate staining method. Must of able to identify microscopic structures, recognize pathogenic microorganisms and report results. Examines incubated media, must be able to recognized colony morphology and properly isolate pathogens from normal bacterial flora. Must choose the correct media for proper identification, and be able to evaluate results of same. Standardized pure isolates to correct turbidity and perform antibiotic susceptibility tests. Some tests are performed on automated of computerized equipment while others demand intricate manual methods. Must be able to perform special manual minimal inhibitory and bactericidal tests. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 9:00am-5:30pm with every other weekend rotation. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: Yes Functional Statement: Medical Technologist This is not a Virtual Position Note: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - This position may be eligible for EDRP, a student loan reimbursement program. Please consult with the Human Resources point-of-contact listed in the \"How to apply\" section of this job announcement to verify EDRP eligibility. If selected for this position you must submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment services Office."]

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