Medical Technologist

The incumbent serves as a Medical Technologist on Evening/Nights within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, serology, and blood bank.

• Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis, requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable.
• Prepares specimen for analysis according to established procedures.
• Follows established procedure for handling of mislabeled, unlabeled, or unsuitable specimens.
• Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective action.
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Performs initial quality control of all incoming reagents and supplies as required.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement, providing sound independent work.
• Performs initial testing on all reagents received in chemistry, blood bank, coagulation, and hematology before reagents are put into use.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments.
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.
• Evaluates the validity of the data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures.
• Correlates quantitative data with patient data (e.g., history, medications) as necessary to verify results.
• Performs additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results.
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly and follows the proper laboratory and medical center policies.
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of results recorded into the computer system.
• Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of laboratory equipment and maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs instrumentation and demonstrates proper documentation of corrective action.
• Uses independent technical judgement to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Interprets and applies complex written instructions.
• Performs checks to maintain compliance with regulatory bodies such as AABB, FDA, The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
• Communicates, consults, and interacts with other members of the healthcare team.
• Maintains accountability for inventory and ordering of all supplies, including blood products and reagents for all shifts and inventory of expendable supplies.
• Follows all safety and infectious disease policies while conducting duties of the position.
• Performs routine and Stat laboratory testing within the established time limits.
• Continuously completes medical center and laboratory training and education as required and within the established deadlines.
• Telephones critical or urgent test results to the clinician or provider with appropriate documentation.
• Performs and completes all proficiency and competency testing to meet deadlines and with satisfactory performance.
• Involved in statistical data collection and/or documentation for records, reports, Quality Assurance monitors, and quality control.
• Maintains a detailed, accurate record in an organized fashion, tracks activities, and processes paperwork accurately and promptly.
• Able to organize and prioritize work during heavy workload situations to expedite patient results.
• Prioritizes work between non-specimen activity and patient care.
• Takes initiative to solve problems without assistances or transferring of responsibility unless justified.
• Maintains a positive attitude, willingness to work as part of a team and is supportive of coworkers.
• Collaborates and works well with others.
• Able to respond and adapt to new processes, procedures, or equipment.
• Willing to make changes to improve service.

Evenings, & Nights Available; Rotating weekends & holidays. Exact hours negotiable.

• 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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all the requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• Must possess all of the below basic requirements for entry into this occupational series at any grade level:
• Certification: Possess or meet (1) or (2) of the following:
• (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).
• Education and/or Experience Combination:
• Do you have 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 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 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.

Grade Determinations:

The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 (Full Performance Level): Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

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 (KSAs).

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate, in their resume, 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.

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 recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center.

The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time.

Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

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

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.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.