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.

Duties

Medical Technologists (MTs) assigned at this level will perform more complex functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. At the GS-10 level, MTs carry out all the responsibilities of the GS-9 with higher levels of professional responsibilities and expertise. The incumbent serves as a Medical Technologist within the Immunology Section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL. The incumbent will rotate weekends and holidays. The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist (Advanced Staff Technologist) may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: The Advanced MT is proficient in performing both routine and specialized work with full technical competence and independence in the Immunology/Send Out sections of the Laboratory. Experience with SPE/IFE preferred. Functions as primary operator for large-scale automated analytical instrument systems. Performs complex maintenance procedures and is consulted as the in-house expert for troubleshooting problems. Complete employee competency records, supply functions, quality control review, new method development, or employee or student training. Provides advisory services to technicians, technologist, and other specialists. Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems. Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient. Responsible for assisting in writing and updating procedure manuals and other documents for a specific laboratory function as directed by the supervisor. Uses advanced computer skills in several computer applications to generate work-related information to supervisor and performs other duties as assigned Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures included within the medical technologist occupation. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Recognizes methodology limitations, such as linearity, interferences, sensitivity, and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Utilizes Vista computer functions to generate reports and to validate and review computer entry. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations agencies such as CAP and JHACO. Participate in training of new personnel and continuing education activities. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedules: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD50073F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate subject to approval, available funding, and in accordance with agency policy. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency: Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, 5a. Education and/or Experience Combination: In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess:(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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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- (c) 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, (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT -OR- 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). Grade Determinations: (a) Experience: GS-10, must have one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. (c) Assignments: MTs at this level have a higher level of professional oversight responsibilities and may have responsibility for a specific large-scale automated analytical instrument system; a specific area of laboratory functions, such as employee competency records, supply functions, laboratory safety, quality control review, new method development or employee or student training; or provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and technologists on alternate tours of duty. For all assignments above the full performance level, higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Advanced Staff Technologist: MT's at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: serves as primary operator on new test systems, assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventative maintenance and training of technicians/technologists on the operation of the new test systems; assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed; oversight of the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist); provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees; recommends updated guidelines an policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments; coordinates the laboratory competency program; and coordinates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) laboratory proficiency/survey program. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard. Preferred Experience: Certified Medical Technologist with previous experience in Immunology. SPE/IFE experience preferred along with HIV and Viral Load analyses. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10. PLEASE SEE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATOIN SECTION OF THIS 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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Diana Dieringer
• Phone: 727-967-6873
• Email: [email protected]