Summary
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

Authorized:
a student loan repayment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date.

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.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all the requirements by the closing date of this announcement. (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 (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 have either (1) or (2) 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 (e. g., an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry). Loss of Credential. Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. All MTs 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
• MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled
• Grade Determinations
• The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-10 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques
• Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems
• Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Duties "The incumbent serves as an Advanced Staff Technologist in Coagulation with responsibility for following and performing procedures in the areas of Blood Bank, Hematology, and Coagulation.
The Advanced Staff Technologist will research, test, validate, and) implement new procedures and equipment.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Assists in leading a unit or team of Medical Technologists performing work at the GS-7 and GS-9 level.

Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, regulatory requirements, methodology, and new scientific/technical development and theories providing sound independent work.

Able to interpret and apply complex written instructions.

Ability to recognize methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity to draw conclusions about the validity of testing results.

Ability to make inquires when information is needed to clarify or verify patient test values when unexpected results are obtained.

Defines reference values using statistical methods, sets up and monitors record keeping system and determines corrective action to be taken when confronted with abnormal or unusual results or observations or unacceptable control values, variations, standard deviations, and trend analysis, of Monthly Quality Control ranges.

(Such as reference curves, calibration, patient normal range, and heparin therapeutic ranges).

The technologist has advanced knowledge of Coagulation techniques and advanced problem-solving capabilities and acts as a resource for other technologists.

Research/evaluates the performance of new Coagulation equipment/reagents for selection and validation of equipment/reagents as it is placed in service.

Performs Coagulation equipment maintenance, correlations between analyzers, and verification.
Processing, ordering, sending, and resulting of Send Outs.
Maintains the Coagulation Send-out Manual on an as needed/annual basis.

Orders, logs and stores reagents and supply for Coagulation per standard operating procedures and maintains optimal inventory levels to prevent workflow interruptions of reagents, supplies and blood products.

Maintains professional proficiency by participating in an approved proficiency testing program in compliance with regulatory agencies.

Completes all Competency and assigned Medical Center educational hours to meet deadlines with satisfactory performance for each fiscal year.

Maintains accountability for tracking of all patient tests results, blood products, slides, and paperwork appropriately.

Provides guidance to daily operations and technical direction necessary for monitoring adherence to documented protocols and ensuring continuous workflow and quality within the unit.

Knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency, requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations to plan, implement, or monitor laboratory programs and services.

Assists in preparing for regulatory inspections for inspections by reviewing checklist questions and ensuring laboratory compliance.

Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor s instructions on work priorities; methods, deadlines, and quality have been met.

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday; 8:00AM-4:30PM, Rotating Weekends/Holidays Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):

Not Authorized Telework:

Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92195-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required"

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