The Medical Technologist carries out the day to day operations in the laboratory, including routine testing, quality control, and routine maintenance and troubleshooting of instrumentation. He/She develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 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. Education and Experience: (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. 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 meet 1 of the below: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. OR Grandfathering Provision. All 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 full performance (journey) level, 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 Grade Determinations: GS-9 is the full performance level grade for the GS-644 medical technologist work series. Applicants must have: (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), 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. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: - 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 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The Medical Technologist carries out the day to day operations of the Microbiology Section. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The Medical Technologist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all regulatory requirements are met. Testing procedures are performed using manual and 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. This medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the various section of the department. He/she is assigned to the day shift and works weekends and holidays on a regular basis and may include off-shifts as priorities demonstrate a need. The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following: Duties/Tasks Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation in the Microbiology Department which includes the areas of Bacteriology (specimen plating and culturing, organism identification, susceptibility testing, molecular testing, mycobacteriology), Mycology, Serology (immunofluorescence, enzyme immunoassays, immunochromatography, latex agglutination) and Urinalysis (automated chemical analysis, automated and manual microscopy). Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions for all testing performed. Evaluates and interprets the results to determine if the data obtained are complete and valid. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action. Selects the procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient consideration. Processes specimens using equipment necessary to prepare them for specific culture and microscopic analyses, controls physical conditions, and responds to time factors to insure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained. Prepares reagents, special media, and biological stains; assembles equipment, personally performs and calculates results for a variety of complex tests. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains laboratory instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures, and quality control checks. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Evaluates the validity of microbiology data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic and morphologic data with other laboratory data and/or other patient data to verify results. Performs additional tests to certify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports results via computer and telephone. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results. Takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems. Conducts literature search if necessary. Advises on course of action to follow when values obtained from standard control sample values, or proficiency test programs are unacceptable. Examines functions of instruments, rechecks conditions of test performance, evaluates reaction system and/or procedural techniques used, and identifies function with symptoms. Processes and dispatches specimens to reference laboratories assuring that viability is maintained by proper preservation and that laws and regulations are followed for transporting etiologic agents. Maintains record keeping system for test results, receipt and routing of results. Reports reportable diseases to Infectious Disease Control committee via the Microbiology Section Supervisor. Documents and files related clerical work. Preferred Experience: One year microbiology and/or molecular microbiology experience. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-430 pm Rotating weekends.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]