Medical Technologist

Bay Pines, Florida, Florida, 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. 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. 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. 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.

Certification: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (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). (3) 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). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above English Language Proficiency.

MT’s must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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: The following criteria must be met for each grade level: 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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilitiess: 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with SPE/IFE preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standards dated 5/12/2014. 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 physical demands of the work are moderate. The work includes the ability to maneuver in and behind instrumentation for troubleshooting and maintenance procedures. Some work is sedentary (4-7 hrs. ) with periods of walking (2hrs. ), bending and or kneeling (3 hrs. ), lifting and carrying of reagents, equipment, and files (15-44 lbs. ). There may be some extended periods of standing (6-8 hrs); near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; ability to hear whispered voice; the use of fingers is required includding typing (4-6 hrs. ); reaching above shoulder; ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination required. [“As Generalist Medical Technologist, the incumbent will be rotating among all the areas of the Clinical Laboratory on daily basis.

Work assignments may allow for specialization within a single laboratory department (e. g. , hematology, chemistry, microbiology, etc. ) depending on the needs of the Service. Other duties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures included within the medical technologist occupation. Recognizes deviations from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using specific principles. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, taking into account physiologic process and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnosis deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to the test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.

Identifies discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions. Answer inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, including tests results, interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory’s in-service/continuing education program. Evaluates and implements new techniques or procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and make recommendations. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Organizes work and sets priority to meet deadlines.

Responsible for entering and verifying laboratory results in the computer system. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Various Shifts Available Monday- Friday, Day, Evening or Night Shifts available, May include weekends & holidays Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. You may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on patient care needs. Work schedules vary by station & duty location as they are determined and approved by the supervisor. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20626F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Adam Blas-Rodriguez, the EDRP Coordinator at adam. blas-rodriguez@va. gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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