This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. 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-Transcripts Supplied (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-Documentation Supplied. 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). 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. Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Grandfathering Provision. All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date (5/12/2014) 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. Grade Determinations: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A MT at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MT develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24 - Medical Technologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["This is considered at the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. An MT/CLS at this level carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the GS-9. The technologist at this level is responsible for testing procedures that are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is, in a variety of laboratory disciplines including: Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Molecular Biology, Serology and Urinalysis at the West Palm Beach VAMC. Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation in the Microbiology Department which includes the areas of Bacteriology (specimen plating and culturing, organism identification, susceptibility testing, molecular testing, mycobacteriology), Mycology, Serology (immunofluorescence, enzyme immunoassays, immunochromatography, latex agglutination) and Urinalysis (automated chemical analysis, automated and manual microscopy). 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 pn9pare them for specific culture and microscopic analyses, controls physical conditions, and responds to time factors to insure 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 microbiology 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 am 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. Reports reportable diseases to Infectious Disease Control committee via the Microbiology Section Supervisor. Documents and files related clerical work. Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday with rotating weekends Telework: Not eligible for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40291F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8_EDRP_WPB@va.gov, West Palm Beach EDRP Coordinating team for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized"]

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