The purpose of this position is to serve as a Medical Technologist in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital or one of it's Community Based Outpatient Centers. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as microbiology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), electrophoresis molecular pathology, coagulation, flow cytometry, hematology, immunology, mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and virology. 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: In accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education and/or Experience Combination: In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess: (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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT OR 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) Grade Determinations: (a) Experience. GS-10: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. 2. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. 3. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. 4. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. 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). Preferred Experience: Chemistry experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: The duties performed by the Medical Technologist are normally performed in an indoor setting. The incumbent may be required to stand, bend, stoop, lift and kneel for long periods of time. He/She must also be able to lift moderately heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precau ["Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Collects, evaluates suitability for testing, processes, and transports specimens. This includes receiving, delivering, and storing specimens for other sections such as Histopathology, Cytology, and Molecular Pathology. Prepares reagents, standards, calibrators and quality control materials. Maintains, calibrates, cleans, and repairs equipment and instruments. Documents those tasks and immediately informs Supervisors, Laboratory Directors, or Pathologists of any problems. Prepares, tests, records, and interprets quality control materials. Documents all corrective actions for out-of-control events and immediately informs Supervisors, Laboratory Directors, or Pathologists of any problems. Tests, verifies, and reports patient specimens in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and responds to indicators of malfunction, compares current results to previous patient results and to other acceptability criteria, telephones and documents critical results, and communicates any problems or unusual events. Performs chemistry, electrophoresis, drug, and toxicology testing on fully automated, semi-automated, and manual instruments. Performs immunoassay and serology testing on fully automated, semi-automated, and manual instruments. Prepares and performs microscopic examinations of blood and body fluid smears. Performs bone marrow preparations, reticulocyte counts, and sickle cell tests. Performs urinalysis testing on automated instruments or with manual reagent strips and examines urine microscopically. Prepares, stains, and microscopically examines microbiological specimen smears. Sets up, reads, and tests microbial cultures. Has professional oversight responsibilities and may have responsibility for a specific large scale automated analytical instrument system; a specific area of laboratory functions, such as employee competency records, supply functions, quality control review, new method development, or employee or student training; or provide professional and technical advice to others. Work Schedule: All Shifts, Days (various) Evenings (3:30p to 12mid) or Nights (11:00p to 7:00am), compressed tours including 10-hour shifts evenings Monday - Friday, Rotating Weekends and Holidays; Schedule subject to change to meet the needs of the service and/or agency.\nCompressed/Flexible: Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]