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. Learn more To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/07/2023. 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 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 1 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 1 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: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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). Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series. Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following: 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. A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. 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). Preferred Experience: One year work experience as a generalist Medical Technologist in a hospital setting ASCP or AMT Certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS Grade Determinations: GS-07 - None beyond the basic requirements GS-09: Experience. Must have one 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 two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. 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. 5. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard GS-644 Veterans Health Administration 05/12/2014 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-7 to GS-9. ["This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 08/22/2023. Additional applications will be referred as needed. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified individual. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performing a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical technology/medical laboratory science occupation Performing advanced and complex laboratory procedures Recognizing deviation from expected results Analyzing and correcting problems using scientific principles Evaluating and solving problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, taking into account physiologic processes and requirements Maintaining and documenting the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment Using, calibrating, identifying malfunctions, repairing and performing preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment Diagnosing deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction Performing and documenting quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement Adhering to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace Identifying discrepancies, solving problems and presenting solutions Answering inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors, which influence test results Interpreting results and suggesting follow-up test selection or procedures Evaluating and implementing new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge Interpreting findings and making recommendations Performing other duties as assigned based on the needs of P&LMS Work Schedule: Fulltime; Night shift: 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. or 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. (four 10-hour days) OR 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (three 12-hour days) one week of pay period and 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. AND 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (three 12-hours days and one 8-hour day) the other week of the pay period ; all rotating weekends and holidays per needs of the Service. PLEASE INDICTATE TOUR OF DUTY CHOICE ON RESUME Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for a highly qualified individual EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a Bargaining Unit position Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling/pulling hand over hand/pushing (1/4 hour); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required, walking/standing (4-8 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability; fine motor control of hands."]

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