Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - 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 (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of 4 the routes identified
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• 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-07 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-09 Experience or Education
• Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• GS-09 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testing
• GS-11 Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR 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 science
• GS-11 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions
• Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education Preferred Experience: Not Applicable
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical demands are low - primarily sedentary work
• It requires minimal physical exertion and strain such as long periods of standing or considerable walking.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package for Clinical Laboratory Scientists: https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties include - but not limited to: - Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupation
• In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• - Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements
• - Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• 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
• - Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• - Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• - Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures
• - Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• - 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
• - 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 priorities to meet deadlines
• - Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988
• - Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training on the operation of new test systems
• - Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed
• - Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services
• - Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results
• - Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements
• - Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results
• - Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems
• - Monitors and maintains inventory including reagents - calibrators - quality control - etc
• - Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient
• - Provides technical advice to staff and other health care members
• - Assists with staff competency assessment as applicable
• - Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988
• - Assumes responsibility for the instruction and coordination of teaching activities for Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in order to fulfill the requirements of a NAACLS-accredited CLS Program
• - Performs administrative tasks associated with timekeeping - purchase card - and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) programs as assigned
• Work Schedule: 2:30pm to 11:00pm (some alternating weekends & holidays) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 06245F - 06246F - 06247F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact James.Anderson5@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.