This position is located within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA Medical Center in Charlotte, NC and Salisbury, NC. The Medical Technician serves as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of chemistry (including special chemistry and toxicology), hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), microbiology, and specimen procurement and processing.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties include, but are not limited to: Performs phlebotomy and follows current CLSI guidelines. Processes specimens using complex instrumentation such as the MPA, or centrifuges, and transfers specimens to daughter tubes for storage, and/or testing.to analyze body fluids and other substances to support pathologists in defining the presence of infection or other irregular disorders. Coordinates with Phlebotomists to ensure there is coverage where needed or where tasks need to be completed. Enter reference lab results in VISTA, evaluates the validity of the test result in relation to the test system, assay procedure, age and gender of the patient. Operates instrumentation that performs blood cell testing with the newest methodologies which include impedance testing, flow cytometry, immunochemical staining. Operates instrumentation for semi-quantitative and quantitative measurements of chemical and cellular constituents in urine specimens. Operates instrumentation for the determination of prothrombin time for warfarin monitoring, activated partial thromboplastin time, and d-dimer testing. Performs testing in general chemistries and immunochemistries such as glucose and total lipid, endocrine and tumor markers, anemia, thyroid, cardiac, and infectious disease testing. Performs duties in microbiology: setup of cultures, staining of specimens, and isolation of bacteria; operates the instrumentation that identifies and performs inhibitory concentration analysis on the isolates that are considered pathogenic; and performs fluorescent antibody tests for syphilis, and other rear conditions. Performs test for Blood Typing and cross matching (ABO group and Rh typing), and screening for any unanticipated antibodies that may cause problems. Maintains and documents the laboratory facilities and equipment and controls supplies. Maintains and controls laboratory records. Performs other related duties as assigned. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: Days or nights with rotating weekends and holidays. Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. To qualify for this position at the GS-6 level, you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. At this level, specialized experience should include experience performing a variety of relatively standardized tests, examinations, and determinations. The procedures and techniques are well-established but involve many meticulous sequential steps to complete a test; and following written procedures which give carefully detailed instructions on each step of the assigned test and examinations. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of one half year (9 semester hours) of graduate education that is directly related to the work of this position. One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. ~OR~ COMBINATION: an equivalent combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts must be submitted at time of application. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience performing phlebotomy/blood draws on human patients. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Quality AssuranceReasoningTechnical CompetenceTechnical Problem SolvingTechnology Application IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]