Medical Technologist - Castle Point, United States - Veterans Health Administration

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.

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 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

• 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)

English Language Proficiency:
MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

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

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 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)
• 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
• Failure to Obtain Certification
• In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment
• At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline
• Failure to become certified within one year from 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
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-9 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 or education 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 in order 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 Handbook 5005/72.Part II, Appendix G24

• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09

Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties "This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2024. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System. The incumbent functions as a Medical Technologist - Generalist at the Castle Point Campus.

Laboratory Service and will be required to rotate within the clinical laboratory departments on as need basis as a generalist.

Incumbent may be required to travel and work at the Montrose campus and be on call in need arises.

The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following:
Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.

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

Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective action. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. history, medications) to verify results. Perform instrument validations when necessary. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Takes appropriate action to identify discrepancies, unusual and erroneous results. Conducts investigation for corrections and problem solving. Develops protocols for new instruments, including writing procedures, and establishing protocols for running of the analyzer.

Includes development of Quality Control for the testing methods, calculating mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation to determine clinical significance.

The incumbent must be able to work independently and maintain regulatory compliance for the following accreditation agencies including College of America Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Hazardous Administration (OSHA), and VA Regional Inspection Agency.

Work Schedule:

Varied Telework:

Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position


Functional Statement #:
21O63-A Relocation/

Recruitment Incentives:
Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required"