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

If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply at CBST-12216084-24-MH. The Medical Technologist at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision. The work will be performed in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as basic microbiology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), coagulation, hematology, immunology, serology, immunohematology (blood banking), urinalysis and phlebotomy. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assists in developing, maintaining, and modifying various computer applications. Maintains liaison with technical representatives to correct computer programming and resolve common problems. Participates in the planning and conduct of courses (including classroom lectures and bench instruction) for the basic clinical subjects in the hospital's school of medical laboratory technician program. Supplements prescribed course contents and instruction materials as necessary. Prepares contents and instruction materials as necessary. Prepares and gives in-service lectures and demonstrations to newer and less experienced employees and to employees of other services. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements with immediate or general supervision. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions with immediate or general supervision. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, performs limited minor repairs, and performs preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up tests selection or procedures. Assists with evaluating and implementing new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; Possible weekends and extended hours and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520-00393-F, 520-00156-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Brandilyn Wasson at [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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education/ Experience: 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. Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below: (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 (GS-09) 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). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-07: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-09: Experience: Candidates must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07), which is directly related to the position to be filled OR Education: A Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. In addition to these requirements, candidates must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): 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 Standard, dated May 12, 2014. 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: Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurrent physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending over microscopes and instruments, walking and lifting. Work Environment: The work involves the regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a hospital or clinical laboratory environment with a regular and recurring exposure to hazards such as infectious materials, chemicals, and electrical appliances. The technologist must use protective clothing and gear such as gloves, face masks, eye protectors, biological safety hoods and sterile technique.

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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Marisa Havins
• Phone: (217) 499-5270
• Email: [email protected]