Medical Technologist - EDRP

Company: usagov
Location: Amarillo
Posted on: May 27, 2023

Job Description:

Summary
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.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency
  Open to the Public. VA and Federal Employees should apply to CAZM-11935918-23-JG. Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.
  This job is also open in another announcement to:
  • Federal employees - Competitive service
  • Federal employees - Excepted service
  • Internal to an agency
    This job is also open in another announcement to:
    • Federal employees - Competitive service
    • Federal employees - Excepted service
    • Internal to an agency
      Videos
      Duties
      This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 5/12/2023. Additional applications will be referred as needed. (NOTE: Applications expire after 90 days. Please update application thru USAJobs if you wish to be reconsidered.)
      *** Bargaining Position ***
      • Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical technology/medical laboratory science occupation. In addition, 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 physiologic processes and requirements.
      • Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnose 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 principles and theories of performance improvement.
      • Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
      • Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions.
      • 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.
      • Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program.
      • Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing.
      • Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
      • Communicates issues and problems to management expeditiously.
      • Performs other duties as assigned Amarillo Work Schedule: 5-day tour 2:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. or 4-day compressed tour 3:00 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.; rotate weekends/Holidays
        Lubbock Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
        Telework: Not Available
        Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
        Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
        EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
        Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
        Preferred Experience:
        • ASCP or AMT MT/MLS/CLS certification
        • One year work experience as a generalist Medical Technologist in a hospital setting Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight pulling (up to 0.25 hours); Pulling hand over hand (up to 0.25 hours); Pushing (up to 0.25 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4-8 hours); Standing (up to 4-8hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Emotional and mental stability; Fine motor control of hands.
          Requirements
          Conditions of Employment
          • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
          • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
          • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
          • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
          • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
          • Subject to background/security investigation.
          • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
          • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
          • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications
            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:
              (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.
            • 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).
            • Physical Requirements. See list above.
            • English Language Proficiency. Medical Technologists (MTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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-7 (Entry Level). Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
              Assignments.Employees at this level serve in an entry level MT career development position practicing under close supervision of an MT at or above the full performance level.
              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.
              (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
              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.
              (d) Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A MT at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in 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. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner.
              References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G24 Medical Technologist Qualification Standard dated May 12, 2014.
              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.
              Education
              IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
              If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
              Graduate Education. Graduate education and graduate degrees may be substituted as specified at each grade level. Education must have been from an accredited college or university in a field related to MT (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology, biological science, physiology, allied health education, health systems administration, infection control and preventive medicine), which was accredited at the time the candidate completed the 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.
              Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
              Certification 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.
              Additional information
              External Announcement: This vacancy announcement is an "external" job announcement. Current permanent VA employees are encouraged to apply under the "internal" announcement to receive consideration based on their current employment status.
              Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
              This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
              This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
              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.
              Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
              If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
              • Benefits
                A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
                Review our benefits
                Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How You Will Be Evaluated
                You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
                IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, r--sum--, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
                Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
                The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
                It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
                Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
                • Benefits
                  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
                  Review our benefits
                  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
                • Required Documents
                  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
                  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
                  
                  • VA Application 10-2850c (Current within 90 days)
                  • ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT Certification
                  • Resume
                  • Transcript VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850C - Veterans Affairs.
                    The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
                    • Cover Letter
                    • DD-214/ Statement of Service
                    • Disability Letter (VA)
                    • License
                    • OF-306
                    • Other Application Documentation
                    • VA Application 10-2850c (Current within 90 days)
                    • ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT Certification
                    • Performance Appraisal
                    • Professional Certification
                    • Proof of Enrollment
                    • Resume
                    • Separation Notice (RIF)
                    • SF-15
                    • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
                    • Transcript Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.
                      Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
                      If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
                      Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
                      Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
                    • How to Apply
                      All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submi...

Keywords: usagov, Amarillo , Medical Technologist - EDRP, Healthcare , Amarillo, Texas