Medical Technologist

Company: Department of Veterans Affairs
Location: Lakewood
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

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Duties

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT in support of critical hiring shortages in the VA. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 7, 2021 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis.

NOTE: Announcement will remain open until no longer needed but no later than August 23, 2021.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

'VA employees have the chance to give back to America's heroes and help improve life for them and their families every day.'

The Medical Technologist is located within Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service and may be permanently or temporarily appointed on an intermittent, part-time or full-time schedule. The Medical Technologist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs a variety of biological specimen and/or environment samples using manual or automated techniques;
• Performs a variety of laboratory disciplines such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology and immunohematology;
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, considering physiologic processes and requirements;
• Carries out day-to-day operations in the laboratory to include routine testing, quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting;
• Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results;
• Monitors quality control systems and measures;
• Provides education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public, as needed;
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and suggests solutions;
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment uses, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment and diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction;
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement;
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which includes test results and interprets results and suggests follow-up tests;
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member; provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others); and gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing.

Work Schedule: A variety of work schedules are available; Work schedule will be determined upon selection. NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays.

Pay Schedule: The salary range listed in this announcement is a Base-Line Salary for a full-time work schedule. Starting salary will be set based on locality (which may include a special pay rate depending upon location), as well as FT, PT or Intermittent employment.

PCS Expenses: Not Available.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: Depending on your leave tier, receive 13 to 26 days paid time off per year, including 10 paid federal holidays; 13 sick days annual with no limitation on accumulation.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years' vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

9

• Job family (Series)

0644 Clinical Laboratory Science

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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. NOTE: This applies to the past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT) only. HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC)

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• 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.)(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). AND Completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agent 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, (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). 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 Technologist (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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). ~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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application). 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. (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application).

Foreign Graduates: 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, or 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: NOTE: You must provide updated copies of all certifications with your application.

• Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as an MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, and AMT.
• 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).

Exception at GS-7 grade level only: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT Series.

Grandfathering: 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).

Grade Determinations:GS-7: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-9 Full Performance Level:

Experience: At least 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), 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. (If using education to qualify for GS-9 consideration, you should submit a copy of transcripts with application).

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualifications Standards dated May 12, 2014.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agent 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).

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.

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs, Lakewood , Medical Technologist, Other , Lakewood, Washington