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. ***Recruitment/ Relocation Incentive of up to 25% may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate.*** To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS for appointment as a Medical Technologist: English Language Proficiency Education and/or Experience Combination (Transcripts Required): 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. Note: 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 SAHEA), 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 Technologist (AMT). This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banding, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and clinical microscopy (or 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. Certification (copy of certification* required, if applicable). Applicant must either: Possess or meet the eligibility requirements* for certification as a medical technologist (MT), or medical laboratory scientist (MLS) given by ASCP-BOR, ASCP-BC, or AMT. OR Possess or meet the eligibility requirements* for the categorical or specialist technologist level certification from the certification agencies above, such as but not limited to chemistry (C/SC), hematology (H/SH), microbiology (M/SM), molecular biology (NB/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). *Note: Non-certified applicants may be given a temporary appointment not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist and must actively pursue and obtain certification within the year. IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-7: None beyond the basic requirements GS-9 Experience: Must have at least 1 year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which is directly related to the position. OR GS-9 Education: Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. In addition, one must be able to demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skill and Abilities: KSA 1 - Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work; KSA 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; KSA 3 - Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation; KSA 4 - Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments; KSA 5 - Ability to use independent technical judgement to analyze and interpret laboratory results; KSA 6 - Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions; KSA 7 - Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes; KSA 8 - Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service and patient education. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standards, 5/12/2014. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. ["***This is an open continuous announcement. Candidates will be referred to the hiring official every 2 weeks.*** 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. ***Recruitment/ Relocation Incentive of up to 25% may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate.*** This Medical Technologist position is located in the VISN 12 Pathology & Laboratory Medical Service. This position is located at the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago, IL. DUTIES INCLUDE: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation; 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 psychologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment; uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventative 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 principals and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. 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. Work Schedule: Second Shift, includes weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized, up to 25%. Payment may be received up front with a 1 to 4 year commitment. EDRP Authorized: Please contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov or VISN12EDRP@va.gov for more information. NOTE: EDRP is limited to very specific positions/shifts, so EDRP may not be available for every position. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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