Medical Technologist

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. Program 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.

Qualifications 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: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

• 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

• 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

• 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) 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements

• Grade Requirements GS-09: Do you posses 1 year of creditable experience equivalent at 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

• In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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

• Preferred Experience: One year of hematology and blood banking experience

• Knowledge and or experience with electrophoresis and bone marrow processing preferred

• 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 GS-09

• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties "This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service of the Albany VA Medical Center in Albany, NY.
The Medical Technologist functions as a nonsupervisory Medical Technologist in the Hematology/Transfusion Service Laboratory and may rotate within the laboratory service on various tours as needed.
An MT/CLS at this level develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results.
Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision.
The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the Medical Technologist occupation within the Hematology department (including helping with Bone Marrows) and Transfusion Service testing.
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.
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 principles and theories of performance improvement.
Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and helps present 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.
Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the institution 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.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: vacareers.va . click apply for full job details