The incumbent is a qualified Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist within the combined Microbiology/Molecular Biology section, performing key duties in the clinical laboratory. This incumbent will be in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all the requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Must possess all of the below basic requirements for entry into this occupational series at any grade level: Certification: Possess or meet (1) or (2) of the following: (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). NOTE: 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. Education and/or Experience Combination: Do you have 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. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-09 (Full Performance Level): Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. 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 (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate, in their resume, 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. The Full Performance Level of this vacancy is GS-09; the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. ["Duties and tasks include but are not limited to the following: Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis, requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen for analysis according to established procedures. Follows established procedure for handling of mislabeled, unlabeled, or unsuitable specimens. Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by provider and accurately accessions specimens and maintains correct identification by name and/or accession number through each phase of processing/testing. Selects, performs, 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; locates and implements corrective action. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Performs initial quality control of all incoming reagents and supplies as required. Assists in verifications and validations for new equipment, reagents, or tests brought into the department. Reports back to supervisor or designee on progress and issues. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement, providing sound independent work. Performs initial testing on all reagents received in the department before reagents are put into use. This includes lot-to-lot testing, parallel testing that is then presented to the supervisor or laboratory director to review/approve before reagents or supplies are put into use. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. This includes verifying correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Evaluates the validity of the data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (e.g., history, medications) as necessary to verify results. Performs additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly and follows the proper laboratory and medical center policies. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of results recorded into the computer system. Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing sound independent work. Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of laboratory equipment and maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs instrumentation and demonstrates proper documentation of corrective action. Performs checks to maintain compliance with regulatory bodies such as FDA, The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) such as temperature checks, inventory control, instrument maintenance and testing. Maintains accountability for tracking of all patient tests results having an important public health component, as required by Law. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, Rotating Weekends/Holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92675-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Authorized. Contact Brandon.Hughes2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.