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. 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: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-10 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Preferred Experience: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST/CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST CERTIFIED BY ASCP WITH AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A GENERALIST, WORKING ALL DISCIPLINE AREAS OF THE LAB TO INCLUDE PHLEBOTOMY. ONE YEAR OR MORE OF EXPERIENCE IN MICROBIOLOGY. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Incumbent performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques. Duties require competency in the areas of Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Molecular, and Microbiology testing. Testing duties in all disciplines require the technologist to perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. In all areas, technologist prepares reagents, maintains equipment, and verifies correct instrument operation. Maintains validity of assay system by appropriate testing of reagents prior to use for patient testing. The work involves accurate and timely completion of testing to provide relevant clinical information to physicians crucial to patient care. The work involves various duties concerned with test performance, identification and correction of errors, evaluation/interpretation of test results, correlation of data and validation/verification of results. Incumbent skillfully collects venous blood samples from patients adhering to all safety and patient care requirements. Incumbent judges the acceptability of samples submitted for testing using a broad body of knowledge of pre-analytic sample requirements. Technologist shows mastery of the VA Laboratory computer software package as job assignments require. Demonstrates a working mastery of the functions of the Electronic Health Record system, Microsoft Office and e-mail functions. Incumbent attentively accessions and labels samples, records data accurately in logs and worksheets with extreme attention to ID verification and accurate manual recording. Technologist is responsible for recognition of all critical value results and for the effective and immediate communication of those results to the patient's provider following all required steps and documentation. Technologist is responsible for mastering the preventive maintenance requirements for multiple instruments and testing systems. Technologist is responsible for resolving procedural, reagent and equipment problems according to written procedures, verbal instructions and previous experience. Technologist's practices require thorough understanding and adherence to all safety requirements as per regulatory laws such as used in phlebotomy, proper handling of blood and body fluids, hazardous medical waste, safe chemical handling practices, etc. Provides effective and professional training to new staff members on theoretical and practical aspects of procedures in use providing demonstration of laboratory practices. Technologist maintains a professional currency through formal education and professional training and networking. Ensures the adequacy of the scientific knowledge applied in the performance of required tests. Annually attends/completes the required hours of mandatory training required by Sheridan VAHCS Work Schedule: ROTATING SCHEDULES Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55797-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Kim Romanchak, Kim.Romanchak@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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