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. Program 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

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. In addition, performs complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles with immediate or general supervision. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements with immediate or general supervision. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction with immediate or general supervision. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement with immediate or general supervision. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace with immediate or general supervision. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions with immediate or general supervision. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results with immediate or general supervision. in collaboration with senior technologists interprets results and suggests follow-up test 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. Assists in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. 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. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines with minimal assistance. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 - Medical Technologist Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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 and/or Experience Combination: (1) A bachelors 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 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, 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 American Society for Clinical Pathology Board or 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 on 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, 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). 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. Grade Determinations: GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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. Preferred Experience: One year of experience in phlebotomy. One year of experience as a lab generalist. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

Grandfathering Provision. All MT's employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualification applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply:

(1) MT's that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond journey level or place in supervisory or managerial positions.
(2) MT's who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may no have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they full meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) MT's initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) If MT's who were retained in this occupation under this provision leave the occupation, the MT loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in the effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Contacts

• Address Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 US
• Name: Rodney Stewart
• Phone: 412-651-6213
• Email: [email protected]