This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA Medical Center in French Camp, CA. The Medical Technician performs both routine and specialized testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, and serology in support of a medical laboratory.

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 and responsibilities will include: Using microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, balances, and instruments to perform laboratory tests and analyze body fluids and other substances to determine the presence or absence of disease or other abnormal conditions. Receiving, collecting, sorting, recording, storing and/or shipping clinical laboratory specimens so that appropriate testing/diagnostic procedures can be performed. Obtaining additional data or information from healthcare providers as needed. Maintaining the laboratory and equipment in a clean and safe condition. Calibrating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation and equipment. Monitoring specimens, equipment, and laboratory for acceptability. Ensuring that sufficient supply of reagents, standards, and controls, are available at all times; and preparing reagents, controls, etc. Recommending changes in procedure to improve efficiency, accurately, and safety. Establishing inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintaining appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules. Assisting in training personnel and/or students in laboratory procedures and laboratory safety. Functioning as a point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to the supervisory to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies. Accepting/documenting incoming patient specimens using the designated computer system. Processing specimens and selecting appropriate procedures based on knowledge of the type of specimens, patient information, and laboratory resources. Reporting all specimen problems according to established guidelines. Performing a variety of laboratory tests, both new and established that involve very fine distinctions in analytical methods. Entering test results into hospital computer system, verifying the accuracy, completeness, and validity. Evaluating the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlating and integrating information and performing additional testing to confirm abnormal results as per policies and procedures. Participating in quality assurance activities. Performing related duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-6 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: 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. ~AND~ SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: 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. ~AND~ SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in Federal service performing technical medical laboratory support work such as: performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings; or 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. This experience must be documented in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ EDUCATION SUBSTITION: Successful completion of at least one-half year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Transcripts required. ~OR~ COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Medical Technician position such as chemistry, biological sciences, hematology, microbiology, serology, etc. and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Analytical ReasoningClericalDiagnostic Medical TestingTechnical Competence 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 40 pounds. In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the arduous nature of the job. There may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination or good color vision. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory which require special safety techniques and universal precautions. Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear. Work areas must be maintained in a clean and organized fashion. 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/.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]