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. Learn more 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. English Language Proficiency: Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education and/or Experience Combination: 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. ~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: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below: NOTE: You must provide updated copies of all certifications with your application. Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as an MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, and AMT. 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) Exception at GS-7 grade level only: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment 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. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT Series. 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: GS-7: 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. (If using education to qualify for GS-9 consideration, you should submit a copy of transcripts with application). Demonstrated 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualifications Standards dated May 12, 2014. The 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 - such as 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) and wrist strain due to prolonged use of PC keyboards. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities, such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. ["The incumbent serves as a Medical Technologist in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) in a large tertiary care full service medical center. Primary area of specialist will be Routine, STAT, and specialized work in the Chemistry section but knowledge of Immunochemistry, Hematology, Immunohematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Microbiology and/or Serology departments with full technical competence and independence is preferred. The incumbent follows established guidelines in accessioning specimens using the laboratory computer system or designated manual backup. Properly identifies and process specimens, evaluating specimen suitability, controlling the physical conditions of the specimen, and performs appropriate laboratory testing and/or specimen storage based on professional knowledge of specimen types, quality, patient information, and resources available in the laboratory. The incumbent will play a central role in the maintenance, calibration, review of quality control and repair of laboratory instrumentation, functioning as a key instrument operator independent of direct supervisor. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and defined testing problems and reacts to indicators of malfunction, locating and implementing appropriate corrections. Work Schedule: Various Shifts including Evening Shift Sunday 8:00AM - 4:00pm; Monday, Wednesday - Friday 4:00PM -12:00AM; Overnight Shift: Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00 midnight - 8:00AM; Week 1: Sunday - Thursday 4:00PM-12:00AM; Week 2: Monday - Thursday, Saturday 4:00PM -12:00AM; and Monday - Thursday 4:00PM-12:00AM, Saturday - Sunday 8:00AM-4:00PM; Week 2: Tuesday - Friday 4:00PM-12:00AM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Stephanie Scales, stephanie.scales@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]