Medical Technologist - Temple, United States - Veterans Health Administration

Description

Job Description

Summary
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.

Program 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.

Qualifications


Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b
• Education and/or Experience Combination (1) 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, (2) 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, (3) 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
• c
• 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
• d
• Certification
• Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below: (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)
• 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)
• (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
• e
• Grandfathering Provision
• All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• f
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• g
• English Language Proficiency
• MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

Grade Determinations:
The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

• GS-9 (Full Performance Level) (a) 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, (b) Education
• Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• GRADE DETERMINATION CONTINUED IN EDUCATION SECTION BELOW: Preferred Experience: 3yrs
• Blood bank (with VBECs and MTS experience) 4yrs
• Hematology, urinalysis, and coagulation 3yrs
• Chemistry with experience on automated line 3yrs
• Microbiology 3yrs
• Experience with VISTA software 1yr

phlebotomy skills References:
VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard dated May 12, 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9


Physical Requirements:

Light Lifting (under 15 lbs); Light Carrying (under 15 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2 to 8 hours); Standing (2 to 8 hours); Repeated bending (2 to 8 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4: Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties "Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career- Medical Technologist: Medical Technologist is assigned to Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service.

Major duties include but not limited to: The generalist medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas.

He/She also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need.

The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist Generalist include but are not limited to the following: Duties/Tasks Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician 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 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 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.

Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (midnight) with rotating weekends & holidays.
May be scheduled other tours to cover workload (infrequently)

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):

Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact .GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Pay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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 $416.66.

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 #:
Medical Technologist/00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not Required"