Medical Technologist - Montgomery, United States - Veterans Health Administration

Description

Summary
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 1st, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Qualifications
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 1st, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. 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
• 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 successful completion of 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 successful completion of 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:
Candidates must have either (1) or (2): (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 (GS-9), 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/SC) 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 in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above
• 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)
• GS-09

Grade Determination:
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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience and/or education listed above in the basic requirements, qualified candidates must be able to demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): 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

References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9

Physical Requirements:
Completion of a satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only is a must

• Depending upon the area of the Laboratory assigned, there may be long periods of standing, sitting, walking; long periods of using microscope; or long periods of specimen processing
• Other physical exertion may include reaching for supplies or materials and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs)
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures and color vision
• Additionally, there are long periods of concentration and working under pressure to produce accurate test results as quickly as possible
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties "Total Rewards:

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career- Medical Technologist: The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is a consolidated health care system that includes VA Medical Centers in Montgomery and Tuskegee Alabama as well as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Dothan, Ft.

Rucker, and Monroeville, Alabama, Fort Benning and Columbus, Georgia and the Montgomery VA Clinic.

The Medical Technologist is responsible for performing procedures in the areas of Blood Bank, Chemistry and Special Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Immunohematology, Phlebotomy, Shipping and Receiving and Reference Laboratory.

They will serve in the clinical laboratory with responsibility for performing a variety of standardized routine and specialized tests procedures, including complex analyses and infrequently non-standard tests; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment and setting up and monitoring elements of quality control program.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with the established protocols.

processes specimens using equipment, instruments, or techniques that are required for specific procedures, controls, physical conditions; responds to time factors to insure that the physiologic state of specimen is maintained.

prepares specimen for analysis, reagents, setting up equipment, verifies instrument operation; calibrates, standardizes, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures (including the more complex and difficult procedures) using manual and /or instrumental techniques.

identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results (instrument malfunctions, conditions or test performance, reactions systems, and/or test procedures used.) Takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems.

evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures.

correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic and morphologic data with other laboratory data (e.g., blood smear estimates with leukocyte and platelet counts, RBC appearance with indicators, CKMB with other enzyme analyses) and/or other patient data (history, physical findings, medications) to verify results.

Performs additional test to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports results of verification procedure.

performs daily administrative functions to including pending list review, quality control is completed, reviewed with appropriate actions and associated documentation, shipping documents and communication for the next shift is relayed; conducts testing required by external proficiency testing programs; manages inventory of all reagents, supplies and blood components.

educates clinical laboratory science interns on a rotational basis in all sections of the laboratory, performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisory Medical Technologist and/or Laboratory Manager.

Work Schedule:
Split shift on days/evenings 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM, based on the needs of the service


Compressed/Flexible:
Compressed - work 7 days, off 7 days. Full-time schedule includes 3 days of twelve hour shifts and 4 days of 11 hour shifts.

The times are flexible but may start and end between the hours of 10am-11pm and would include weekends and holidays.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized


Paid Time Off:
37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience


Parental Leave:
After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child


Child Care Subsidy:
After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ 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)

Telework:
Not available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position


Functional Statement #:
FS Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required"