The Medical Technologist (MT) carries out the day-to-day operations of 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. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT POSITION FOR FILLING IN SHIFTS AS NEEDED. THIS IS NOT A FULL-TIME POSITION. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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: A. 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, 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. You must submit a copy of your transcript with your application. B. 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. ยง 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified. You must submit a copy of your certification with your application package. 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 occupation and 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. C. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Chapter 73 or 74. Preferred Experience: MT/MLS certification by the American Society Clinical Pathology/American Medical Technologists is preferred. Grade Determinations: GS-7 (Entry Level):(a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: Not Limited to the following. Requires sitting, constant walking, standing, stretching, bending, and carrying light to medium weight items. Positions may be maintained for short periods of time. Exposure to meeting with employees and external contacts who may be angry and/or upset. May observe patient suffering. Ability to read printed material, such as reports and Standard Operating Procedures. Ability to view information on computer screens and in CPRS orders. Ability to adapt to successfully perform in high stress environments with constant interruptions, emergent/critical/unusual situations, high volume urgency of issues, and interactions with a wide variety of professionals and personalities. Ability to work alone and perform a variety of duties, changing one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure, and consistently meet department work schedule demands, including documentation and participation in workgroup, committees, etc. Ability to read printed material, gauges, computer monitor, and distinguish colors, such as color monitors or reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of patient's skin, wounds, etc. ["GS-7 a. Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling. b. Evaluates suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable and properly documents such actions. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained. Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results. c. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective actions. If unable to resolve immediately notifies the supervising MT. d. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Documents all activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed including troubleshooting. Retrieves control data from equipment or logs for submission to inter-laboratory comparison programs. e. 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/corrections. Performs proficiency testing and maintains records for proficiency testing according to CAP and laboratory standards. f. Evaluates the validity of data in relationship to the test systems and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic patient data with other patient laboratory data to verify results. g. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal panic values and notifies in a timely manner appropriate hospital personnel with the findings according to Laboratory-Hospital policy. Adheres to Medical Center policy in reporting and documenting of all critical testing results. GS-9 a. Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. b. 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. c. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. d. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. e. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. f. Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. g. Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes. h. Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. Work Schedule: Intermittent employees work on an as-needed basis. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91184-0 (GS-9) and 91183-0 (GS-7) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not available for Intermittent employees. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes! This position is located within Surgical Services at the CAPT James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The FHCC is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and Department of Navy (DoN)/Department of Defense (DoD). It is larger than just a single facility, but rather it is a fully-integrated medical care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The combined mission of the FHCC means active duty military and their family members, military retirees, and eligible veterans receive health care at this facility.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. Join the FHCC team of energetic, career-minded professionals! For additional information, click onhttp://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/index.asp.