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 Technologist's is considered the general performance level for non-supervisory and non-specialist positions. A Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MT/CLS) at this level performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens using manual and/or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment & responsibility with minimal technical assistance. Medical Technologist's work is performed across a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as basic chemistry, immunochemistry, coagulation, hematology, molecular microbiology and urinalysis. General duties include performance of moderate and high complexity testing procedures, performance and monitoring of quality control systems and measures, communication of critical values to providers, maintenance of required documentation in accordance with applicable VHA and accrediting agency standards such as CLIA and The Joint Commission (TJC), participation in teaching and educational activities for students, laboratory staff members, healthcare professionals, and instructional guidance to patients for home collection of samples. On occasion the incumbent may be required to travel to other VA facility sites or vendor training centers for new operator training, other educational opportunity, or for laboratory staffing coverage. Additional duties and responsibilities may be required to ensure the successful operation at these remote laboratory sites. Because of the remoteness of these sites, staffing, technical and specialized assistance will be limited. The incumbent Medical Technologist must be able to exercise independent judgment as necessary under emergency and/or other special circumstances. Duties/Tasks Ensure proper procedures are followed for pre-analytic phase of laboratory testing to include patient and sample identification, sample procurement, appropriate labeling, and the processing of samples for testing. Evaluate the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unacceptable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained. Perform test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established protocols. Evaluate test results obtained and correlate results with medical disease status of the patient. Recognize and reacts to indicators of malfunction. Identify remediation procedures and take corrective action under the guidance of the Laboratory Supervisor and/or the Senior Medical Technologist if needed. Perform and document all required calibration and quality control performance for reagents and/or test systems. Maintain required quality control documentation as prescribed by CLIA, TJC, and VA standards. Perform and document all required periodic and as needed analyzer preventive maintenance procedures. Maintain acceptable competency level for each laboratory testing procedure. Actively participate in laboratory quality improvement programs Perform basic troubleshooting of analyzer performance issues and consult analyzer technical support hotline for assistance if needed. Identify the cause of common problems and perform simple repairs. Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognize abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Access and retrieve patient test results from contracted laboratory result portals for manual entry and/or electronic download into VistA. Accurately certify/release laboratory test results through the Lab Package in VistA (lab information system) for transmission into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) electronic patient chart record. Perform phlebotomy procedures as needed to support phlebotomy service during crisis staffing level. Provide primary frontline customer service and test information for providers and clinical staff. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 6:30pm; rotating Saturday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], 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

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. 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 possess either of the following certifications: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-7 (Entry-Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Employees at this level serve in an entry level MT career development position practicing under close supervision of an MT at or above the full performance level. GS-9 (Full Performance Level) 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, Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-644, Veterans Health Administration dated: May 12, 2014. he 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 recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs, weighing 50 lbs.). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision.

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 Spark M Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, HI 96819 US
• Name: Lizbeth Torres
• Phone: (415) 221-4810 X24760
• Email: [email protected]