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Medical Technologist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jul 24, 2019
Duties

Summary

The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), serology, bacteriology, and urinalysis. Work requires monitoring of quality control systems/measures, collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory and other health professionals and others in the medical center setting including public.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical technologist GS-09 occupation.
  • Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures, recognizes deviation from expected results, and analyses and corrects problems using scientific principles;
  • Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account 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 malfunctions;
  • 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 inquires regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results;
  • Interprets results and suggest 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 an theoretical knowledge;
  • Interprets findings and 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 an sets priorities to meet deadlines;
  • Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30am - 4:00pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/25/2019.

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: (1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT OR (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). 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). NOTE: Copy of Certification is REQUIRED upon applying.
  • 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. This finding may be based on either of the following: (1) 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 and (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination.
  • English Language Proficiency: Medical technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
GS-09 Experience or Education: Must have 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, 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 or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Medical Technologist- GS-09
  • Comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement providing for sound work.
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
  • Ability to use technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
  • Ability to interpret and apply complex written instructions.
  • Ability to communicate, and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.
References: VA Handbook VA 5005, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard, http://vaww1.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting (up to 45 lbs), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers and both hands (grasping), walking (up to 4 hours), standing (up to 4 hours), kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs, repetitive motion. Specific visual requirements include: use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, ability to read ordinary type without strain. Hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • License
  • VA FORM 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations (REQUIRED)
  • Resume
  • Transcript


VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • License
  • OF-306
  • VA FORM 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations (REQUIRED)
  • VA Letter
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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