The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is currently recruiting for one full- time Medical Technologist to work in the Core Lab/Blood Bank. This position will serve in the medicine service line. The Medical Technologist is responsible for performing a wide range of routine, complex, and specialized test procedures in Clinical Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology, Immunochemistry, and Urinalysis with minimal on-site supervision 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. Education and/or Experience Combination: 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. 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. 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. 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). GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-9 (Full Performance Level) 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 of education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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, Part II, Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09 Physical Requirements: Lifting, Carrying, Reaching, Walking, Standing, Bending, Use of both hands, fingers, and legs required. Depth of perception, Ability to establish basic colors, Hearing Aid Permitted, Mental and Emotional stability under stress. ["Duties for this position include but are not limited to: The Medical Technologist performs technical procedures that include but are not limited to: automated chemistry panels, immunochemistry, complete blood counts, coagulation tests, urinalysis, body fluid analysis, peripheral smear evaluation, chromatography, toxicology, enzyme immunoassay, point-of-care testing and special studies The Medical Technologist performs technical procedures that include but are not limited to: using the automated ECHO as the primary method for type and screens and antibody identification with the capture method and tube method as secondary methods. The specific procedures performed include ABO blood grouping, Rh typing, including phenotyping, three cell screening for unexpected antibodies, direct and indirect Coombs testing, major compatibility testing, antibody identification (routine method), antibody identification using PEG or other special techniques, cholorquine technique for antigen testing, and the comprehensive evaluation of suspected transfusion reactions. The Medical Technologist evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if necessary. S/he will advise laboratory personnel or healthcare workers on the appropriate collection and handling of specimens. The Medical Technologist prepares specimens for analysis and/or dispatch insuring that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained. S/he follows the guidelines outlined in the Laboratory Information Manual and appropriate procedure manuals for specimen handling. The Medical Technologist prepares reagents and primary reference materials; selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and complex procedures using manual and/or micro-processor controlled instruments in accordance with established laboratory medicine protocols; recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunctions; locates and implements troubleshooting and corrective actions; obtains analytical data such as photometric end-points, rate reaction or digital readouts and converts them to appropriate prescribed units for reporting; reviews and correlates data to verify validity and accuracy of results; verifies laboratory reports identifying sample results and determinable factors; and reports results to appropriate individuals in a manner suitable to the nature of the request. The Medical Technologist is responsible to address Blood Bank priorities as needed, select and prepare appropriate blood product units for transfusion (including packed red blood cells, washed red blood cells, plasma, single donor plateletpheresis, and cryoprecipitate), accurately enter all the necessary blood bank information into the VistA program, and the daily management of the blood product inventory. The Medical Technologist performs daily quality control to assure that the reagents, equipment, and temperatures are within the recommended guidelines. S/he identifies quality control variations and initiates corrective action to correct the quality control problem. The Medical Technologist documents all quality control activities and maintains accurate records in compliance with accrediting agencies such as CAP, The Joint Commission, FDA, and AABB. The Medical Technologist calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, performs routine preventative maintenance and documents service on the instruments. S/he verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks (mechanical, optical, photometric, and electrometric). The Medical Technologist identifies the cause of common problems and makes minor and sometimes complex instrument repairs. The instruments may include but are not limited to the automated analyzers, microscopes, ECHO, cell washers, centrifuges, water baths, refrigerators, freezers, incubators, and platelet rotators. Work Schedule: 02:30pm-10:30pm EDRP: Authorized (Additional Information Listed Below) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Telework: This is not a telework position Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-644-9 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required EDRP Authorized: Contact Cynthia Powell at cynthia.powell3@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more EDRP Information: 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."]

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