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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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 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. 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: (1) 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. (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. 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. (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, 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). (3) 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. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above. 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. Loss of Credential: Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VHA Handbook 5005. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience/education, 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: Must obtain or be eligible for a generalist certification (ASCP or AMT). 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: light lifting & carrying (under 15 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands & legs required, walking & standing (4 hrs), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work. ["Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-9 full performance level of this assignment, the incumbent serves as a generalist medical technologist with the responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, with a concentration in Immunohematology, Serology, and Microbiology. Duties will include: Properly 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. Monitors 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. Performs quality control on all test kits to ensure each methodology is working correctly. Investigates all external and internal controls that are outside the acceptable limits. Reports all findings to the supervisor. Documents quality control, as required for accreditation. Operates a variety of instruments in each section of the laboratory. 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. Documents calibrations and maintenance performed as required for accreditation. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, and medications) to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Works off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays and in other sections of the laboratory depending on operational needs. Assists in the orientation and training of new employees. Assists in development and maintenance and modification of various computer applications liaison are maintained with technical representatives to correct computer programming and to resolve common problems. 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. Participates in the performance of CAP surveys, and blind proficiency samples from other institutions. Documents all results according to standard operating procedures and policies. Submit all paperwork to the appropriate supervisor within the appropriate deadlines. Acts as consultant communicating and interacting with other members of the Laboratory, healthcare team, external relations, customers, and patients. Performs the work requiring regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods, bending over instruments, and performing other physical tasks as required. Follows all established protocols concerning chemical hygiene, blood borne pathogens, infectious organisms, personal protective equipment, OSHA requirements, and shipping regulations Performs other duties as needed within the scope of the clinical laboratory. Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the Section in which he/she is working. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 07:30AM-04:00PM\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]