Medical Technologist

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 1, 2024 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis thereafter.

NOTE: Announcement will remain open through September, 30, 2024, but may be extended if needed prior to the initial closing date.



Note: Vacancies may not currently exist at all advertised locations, but may later occur prior to the closing date. Applicants will be notified at time of referral.

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Duties

The Medical Technologist works across many disciplines, including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and microbiology, you would test and analyze blood, tissue samples and more. You would also perform tests on a number of biological specimens and environmental samples using manual and automated techniques.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs a variety of biological specimen and/or environment samples using manual or automated techniques;
• Performs a variety of laboratory disciplines such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology and immunohematology;
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements;
• Carries out day-to-day operations in the laboratory to include routine testing, quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting;
• Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results;
• Monitors quality control systems and measures;
• Provides education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public, as needed;
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and suggests solutions;
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment and diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction;
• 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 includes test results and interprets results and suggests follow-up tests;
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member; provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others); and gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing.
  
  

Work Schedule: A variety of work schedules are available; Work schedule will be determined upon selection.

NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays.

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 Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives MAY be authorized to paid to a highly qualified candidate for the SELECT **locations listed only:

• V4 **Pittsburgh, PA - Recruitment/Relocation
• V4 **Wilkes Barre, PA
• V8 **Miami, FL -Recruitment/Relocation
• V17 **Dallas, TX
• V17 **San Antonio, TX - Recruitment/Relocation
  
  

EDRP *Authorized for select* locations: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

SELECT LOCATIONS LISTED ONLY* 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. Please refer to the list of *EDRP approved location below:

• V1 *Jamaica Plain/Boston, Brockton and West Roxbury, MA,
• V1 *Newington and West Haven CT
• V2 *Albany, NY
• V4 *Pittsburgh PA
• V4 *Wilkes Barre, PA
• V7 *Birmingham, AL
• V8 *Miami, FL
• V8 *North FL (Gainesville, Lake City and The Villages, Tallahassee FL)
• V9 *Lexington KY
• V17 *Dallas TX
• V19 *Aurora, CO
• V20 *Portland OR
• V21 *Palo Alto, CA
• V23 * Minneapolis MN
  
  

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

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.

NOTE: This only applies to the past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT). HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).

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 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.)(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). AND Completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agent 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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). 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, (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application).
  
  

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 Technologist (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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application).

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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application).
  
  

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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application).

• Foreign Graduates: A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree, or a letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination.
• Certification: (1) Must possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (Must submit a copy of Certification) OR (2) For positions up to the full performance level (GS-9), 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. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements you must meet the following requirements:

• GS-7 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
  
  

GS-9 (Full Performance Level):

Experience: At least 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), 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.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.
  
  

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)

The full performance level of this vacancy is 09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 7 to 9.



Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration

National Recruitment Center, DC 00000

US