This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 15, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 9, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications receive after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position are filled. 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and Experience: (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 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 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 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following: 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. A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. Certification: Candidates must meet 1 of the below: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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. 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. 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. 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: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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: 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, Part II, Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be required to stand, bend, stoop, lift and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift moderately heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions (Reference VA Directive and Handbook 5019). ["Medical Technologist is a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis and minimal selective test in Microbiology and Serology. The generalist medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas. The specialty/medical technologist is assigned only to a specific department and will rotate with other specialty technologists within the department. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The Medical Technologist performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all regulatory requirements are met. Testing procedures are performed using manual and automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. This medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the various sections of the department. He/she is assigned to the evening and / or night shift and works weekends and holidays on a regular basis and may include alternate shifts as priorities demonstrate a need. The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation in the Laboratory Department which includes the sections of Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Serology, Blood Bank, and limited Microbiology. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions for all testing performed. Evaluates and interprets the results to determine if the data obtained are complete and valid. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action. Selects the procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient consideration. Processes specimens using equipment necessary to prepare them for specific culture and microscopic analyses, controls physical conditions, and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained. Prepares reagents, special media, and biological stains; assembles equipment, personally performs and calculates results for a variety of complex tests. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains laboratory instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures, and quality control checks. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Evaluates the validity of laboratory data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic and morphologic data with other laboratory data and/or other patient data to verify results. Performs additional tests to certify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports results via computer and telephone. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results. Takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems. Conducts literature search if necessary. Advises on course of action to follow when values obtained from standard control sample values, or proficiency test programs are unacceptable. Examines functions of instruments, rechecks conditions of test performance, evaluates reaction system and/or procedural techniques used, and identifies function with symptoms. Processes and dispatches specimens to reference laboratories assuring that viability is maintained by proper preservation and that laws and regulations are followed for transporting etiologic agents. Maintains record keeping system for test results, receipt and routing of results. Documents and files related clerical work. Work Schedule: Night Shift : 2300 to 0700, Tuesday through Saturday / rotating Holidays. Assigned to the evening and / or night shift and works weekends and holidays on a regular basis and may include alternate shifts as priorities demonstrate a need. Evening Shift: 1500 to 2330 Monday through Friday rotating weekends and holidays on a regular basis and may include alternate shifts as priorities demonstrate a need. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Technologist, FS-80185F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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