Medical Technologist
Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Charleston
Posted on: May 14, 2022
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Job Description:
Summary This Medical Technologist position is located within
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service of Ralph H. Johnson VA
Medical Center in Charleston, SC. Medical Technologist carry out
the day-to-day operations in the laboratory, this would include
routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of
instrumentation and troubleshooting. Responsibilities NOTE: This is
an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until December
31, 2022. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and
qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become
available. At the GS-7 entry level, a Medical Technologist will
serve in a career development position practicing under close
supervision of an MT at or above the full performance level.
Performs a range of laboratory procedures, including testing and
tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation; recognizes
deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems
using scientific principles. Maintains and documents the optimal
functioning of laboratory equipment;, uses, calibrates, identifies
malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of
laboratory equipment; adheres to practices and regulations
governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Evaluates and
solves problems related to collection and processing of biological
specimens for analysis considering physiologic processed and
requirements. At the GS-9 the full performance level, a Medical
Technologist 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. These require a broad exercise of independent judgment
and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities
with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a
variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, microbiology,
immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Such positions
include requirements to monitor quality control systems and
measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients;
and provide education for laboratory healthcare professionals and
the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner. Work
Schedule: Monday - Friday, Multiple Shifts
(0800am-1630pm/1600pm-MN/MN-800a) with rotating weekends and
holidays Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is
eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student
loan reimbursement program. If selected for this position you must
meet specific individual eligibility requirements and submit your
application within four months of appointment. The final award (up
to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five Years) is
determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services Office.
Recruitment Incentive May Be offered to highly qualified
candidates. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications
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: United States Citizenship:
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. 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. 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. OR, 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). 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). Failure to Obtain Certification. 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. English Language
Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light
carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required;
Walking (3 hours); Standing (4 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours);
Both legs required; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish
basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid
permitted). Preferred Experience: Experience in Hematology,
Microbiology, Chemistry, and Blood Bank. 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). Please see the Additional Information Section of this
announcement for details Grade Determinations: In addition to
meeting the basic requirements above, you must meet the experience
and KSA's described below: GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None
beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Employees at this level
serve in an entry level MT career development position practicing
under close supervision of an MT at or above the full performance
level. 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARDS, GS-0644.The full-performance
level for this position is GS-09. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript
must be submitted with your application. 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:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual
(Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4,
6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years
they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer
newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related
non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.
This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which
they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved
prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. To ensure compliance with an
applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be
supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of
ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to
implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant
to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019
Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a VA
job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be fully
vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that
requirement does not currently apply to this Job Announcement. VA
may request information regarding your vaccination status, if
selected, for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety
protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel,
and quarantine. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a
document you do not have in electronic form, view the following
link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Charleston , Medical Technologist, Healthcare , Charleston, South Carolina
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