Medical Technologist (Advanced)

Summary

The incumbent serves as an Advanced Medical Technologist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) within the Salisbury VA Health Care System.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

09/18/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$70,411 - $91,532 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 10

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Salisbury, NC 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

10

• Job family (Series)

• 0644 Clinical Laboratory Science

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

• Credentialing

• Suitability/Fitness

• Financial disclosure

No

• Bargaining unit status

Yes

• Announcement number

CBTA-12550555-24-RY

• Control number

810135500

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open only to current, permanent VA employees

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Duties

• Medical Technologist at this level perform more complex laboratory functions

• Works rotating weekends and holidays and provides emergency coverage for other tours as scheduled or as priorities demonstrate a need

• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen(s) if determined to be unsuitable for testing

• Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained

• Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols

• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections

• Assists Supervisory Medical Technologist in providing effective and professional training (including on-the-job demonstration) to medical technicians and medical technologists as needed

• Accepts referrals of abnormal or unusual results and observations from laboratory personnel and advises on course of action

• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports

• Monitors quality control system daily; ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data, ensures discrepancies are identified and attended

• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments

• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring

• 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

• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results

• Works as a technologist to perform all manual and automated tests at the bench level (in the assigned department areas) as outlined in the procedure manuals

• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system

• Plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the daily work assignments, handles problems, and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols or accepted laboratory practices

• Maintains a professional currency through formal education and professional training and networking

• Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for meeting laboratory standards

• Provides oversight of bench level staff for adherence to regulations

• Participates in quality and performance improvement activities by collecting and reporting data as requested by the supervisor or quality assurance technologist

• Successfully performs CAP surveys, linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test

• Assists supervisor(s) in implementation/assignment of the performance of CAP survey specimens by technicians/technologists

• Assures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements and are practiced at all times in order to maintain continual accreditation (by VHA, CAP, FDA, etc.)

• Performs other related duties within technical capacity as assigned by the supervisor(s)

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts; Evenings, Nights with rotating weekends/holiday

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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.

• 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

Education and/or Experience Combination. (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 inorganic 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 inorganic 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.

Certification. Must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.

English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations

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.

Advanced Staff Technologist. MTs at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: serves as primary operator on new test systems, assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of the new test systems; assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed, oversight of the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist); provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees; recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments; coordinates the laboratory competency program; and coordinates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) laboratory proficiency/survey program.

OR,

(b) Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques.

(b) Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems.

(c) Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements.

(d) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

This position is at the full performance level GS-10.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24

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

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.