Medical Technologist - Indianapolis, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

Authorized:
This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan repayment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date.

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.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

05/09/2024 to 05/23/2024

• Salary

$60,473 - $96,159 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS - 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Indianapolis, IN
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

9

• Job family (Series)

0644 Clinical Laboratory Science

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSR TET

• Control number

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

The Medical Technologist carries out the day-to-day operations in the Send-Outs/Processing Section of the laboratory.

The Medical Technologist evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory results, ensuring that all laboratory regulatory requirements are met.

They research tests and works with other laboratory sections to ensure samples are processed and sent out correctly and timely.

These require a broad exercise of independent judgement and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision.

Duties and tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis, requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable.
• Accessions and prepares specimens for analysis according to established procedures.
• Follows established procedures for handling mislabeled, unlabeled, or unsuitable specimens.
• Prepares specimens for pick-up or shipment as appropriate, following all regulatory guidelines,

* policies, and procedures.

• Receives reference laboratory reports, and enters and verifies the results into

* the laboratory computer system promptly.

• Maintains open communication with reference laboratories' customer service and information

* departments to troubleshoot any problems within the system or missing samples.

• Monitors reference laboratory communications to stay apprised of changes in methodology, test codes, pricing, or other test information and responds accordingly to ensure continuity of test availability. This may include contracting modifications working with Laboratory Information Managers to update test information in the computer system, or notifying laboratory staff and/or medical staff of updates to test requirements or availability.
• Provides professional and technical advice to phlebotomists and other laboratory staff as well as medical staff regarding referral testing procedures and esoteric testing menu.
• Maintains strict patient confidentiality at all times.
• Assists supervisor in gathering data for quality assurance purposes.
• Reports any discrepancies to the supervisor promptly.
• Generates informational and statistical reports using the VA computer system. Knowledgeable of VA's record-keeping requirements, record storage, and information retrieval.
• Generates monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports when required and reviews all reports for accuracy.
• Familiar with the system for ordering send-out supplies such as special collection containers, special

* media, aliquot tubes, shipping bags, labels, forms, etc.

• Maintains a list and inventory of supplies for the section to ensure adequate supplies are available and makes emergency orders when

* appropriate.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday


Compressed/Flexible:
Not Available


Telework:
Not Available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91727-A and 91728-A


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/23/2024.

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.

English Language Proficiency:
MTs 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 a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.).

(Transcripts Required)


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 that 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.

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. (2) 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:
(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as an 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). 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). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified.

Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment.

Failure to become certified within one year from the 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.

Loss of Credential. Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment.

Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

GS-7 Experience: (Entry Level) None beyond basic requirements.

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 Experience/and or Education:
(Full Performance Level) 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. An 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. 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.

OR,

Education:

Must have a Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field.

Continuation of Qualification Standards is in the Education Tab

Education

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:
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:

Continuation of Qualifications standards:
In addition to the experience 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 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 H
ANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24

The full performance level of this vacancy is a 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:

Depending on what section of the laboratory the employee is assigned, this individual must do mix of sitting, standing and/or walking.

Depending on the workload and patient mix, it could be a lot of any of these three elements. The employee must have a high degree of dexterity in use and maintenance of many complicated instruments. They are subject to color-blindness testing and must be recorded as passing for employment.

Working Environment:
Typical laboratory work area. Everyday exposure to contagious diseases in their contact with patients is present. Exposure to serum hepatitis, AIDS, and patients with other infectious diseases is a special hazard. Daily handling of dangerous chemicals is also required.

Must be cognizant of both hospital and laboratory safety regulations and takes appropriate action to protect the patient, self, and other healthcare staff and visitors.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job.

Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , 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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.


NOTE:

You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week).

AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume

Narrative responses are not required at this time.

If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy:
The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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

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.