The Salisbury VA Health Care System Medical Technologist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures.

Duties

Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures, recognizes deviation from expected results, and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles Recognizes and communicates pre-defined critical results affecting patient care Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction and locates and implements corrections Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications etc.) to verify results Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system Performs venipunctures and collects other specimens as required Instructs, assists, and advises medical technicians, students, medical staff, and patients as necessary regarding questions including, but not limited to, patient testing, specimen collection, equipment, and ordering requirements 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 all facility, local, state, and federal safety requirements Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts; Day, Evening and Night Shift with Rotating Weekends/Holidays Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education and/or Experience Combination. (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 inorganic 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, (3) 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 inorganic 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 bythe ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (2) 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). (3) Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above. (4) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series. Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations GS-7: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) 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. (c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. (d) Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. (f) Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. (g) Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes. (h) Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. The full performance level of this position is GS-9. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Reginald Young
• Phone: 704-638-9000
• Email: [email protected]