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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 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 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, 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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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 Determinations: GS-7: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9: 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. OR, Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. AND 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.??????? Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as an Medical Technologist working in chemistry preferred. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24. 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: Moderate lifting (15-44lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Standing (up to 4 hrs.);Ability to distinguish basic colors; Mental and emotional stability; able to work around machinery with moving parts; working closely with others. ["Performs a full range of laboratory procedures in the areas of chemistry, urinalysis, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, serology and/or immunochemistry. These procedures include but are not limited to blood gas analysis, therapeutic drug monitoring, CBC's and manual differentials, body fluid analysis, direct smears and gram stains, blood cultures, culture set-up and resolution of problems including adverse affects of transfusion. Performs specimen collection and processing procedures in the absence of appropriate staffing. Duties will include: Schedules and prioritizes laboratory testing to meet provider demands as well as to accommodate the extreme emergency testing required by the emergency department, surgery, and intensive care units. Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimen for analysis, requesting new patient specimens as necessary if the original is determined unsatisfactory. Prepares reagents and primary reagent reference materials Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains single and multi channel laboratory analyzers. Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents and products, and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Evaluates and recommends new tests to be incorporated into the laboratory testing menu. Confer with the appropriate laboratory section chief /pathologist to determine requirements for non-standard tests. Determines the validity of test results and the variations/dilutions required to acquire a satisfactory test result determination. Instructs providers, residents, nursing staff and others in laboratory specimen requirements for specific laboratory tests. Practices laboratory safety in order to reduce contamination and infection to patients, staff and self. Maintains records and files of tests performed on patients. Responsible for the inventory and stocking of all laboratory supplies and reagents. Must have the skills necessary to operate highly sophisticated computer controlled multi-channel analyzers. Must be able to do basic trouble shooting of laboratory analyzers including interacting with vendor technical staff in person or by telephone. Must have computer skills required to look up, accession, test and verify results in the VA VistA laboratory program. Responsible for assuming various rotating schedules as determined by the section supervisor and section chief. Consults with clinicians or reviews patient clinical history in CPRS. Compares test results from other sections of the lab (Surgical Pathology, Cytology, Chemistry, Hematology and Microbiology) to support observations. Refers cases to Pathologists or Section Chiefs for critical review as appropriate. Must use critical judgment in the evaluation of test discrepancies, taking appropriate action as detailed in test protocols. Performs special projects as delegated by the Section Chief or Supervisor. Must interact with Reference Laboratories to schedule testing and transport of difficult to obtain samples (e.g. bone marrow or body fluids) to ensure timely sample delivery and appropriate testing. Must be able to utilize critical judgment in subjective test areas and recognize when changes or abnormalities may be critical to patient outcome. Chemistry: Performs a broad spectrum of clinical chemistry, toxicology, drug monitoring, urinalysis, and blood gas procedures utilizing a wide range of technologies including chromatography, electrophoresis, light microscopy, immunoassay, spectrophotometry, potentiometry, and flow cytometry. He/she may interpret electrophoretic patterns related to the presence of special proteins or compounds utilizing a highly complex skill set requiring extensive on-the-job training, reading, research and absolute adherence to procedures. He/she standardizes and performs a variety (over 130 assays available) of complex STAT and routine assays. This includes microscopic examination of urine for the presence of cellular elements, crystals, and pathogens; running and interpreting rapid enzyme immunoassay tests. In addition, she/he process specimens from the local Medical Center as well as Department of Defense and other Veteran hospital/clinic partners using manual or highly automated robotic methods. Other duties include entering and verifying esoteric lab test results from commercial testing laboratories. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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