The selectee serves as a Medical Technologist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, which provides acute tertiary medical and surgical care 24 hours a day, (7) days a week, including holidays. Basic Requirements: - U.S. citizenship: Non-citizens may 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. -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- successful completion of 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- successful completion of 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: Qualified candidates will have either (1) or (2): (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 (GS-9), 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/SC) 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. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(2) above. - English Language Proficiency: MT's must be proficient in spoken and written English In addition to the basic requirements and meeting the KSA's, candidates must have the experience or education described below. 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 (b) Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. GS-9: This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A Medical Technologist (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. Creditable Experience: For positions at or above the full performance level, GS-9, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment. Experience is only creditable if its equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (7) and is directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience and/or education listed above in the basic requirements, qualified candidates must be able to demonstrate the following KSA's to reach the full performance level, GS-9: 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: See in education below. ["Incumbent serves as a Medical Technologist in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Science at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, which provides acute tertiary medical and surgical care 24 hours a day, (7) days a week, including holidays. Incumbent carries out the day to day operations in the Clinical Laboratory: Chemistry, Blood Bank, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, and Microbiology. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The incumbent 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 samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These require a broad exercise of independent judgement and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. Work Schedule: 3:30pm - Midnight OR Midnight - 8:00 a.m., according to staffing needs; works every 3rd weekend along with assigned holidays, and overtime, if necessary Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is eligible to apply 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 Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate."]

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