Medical Technologist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist
$15-$25 Per Hour(Glassdoor est.)
The incumbent performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the Medical Technologist (MT) /Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS). Incumbent is assigned to rotate through different sections of the laboratory for optimal patient care. Sections include (but are not limited to) Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, and Specimen Receiving and Processing. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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.Independently Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures in the clinical laboratory. Recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
Work is performed indepedantly as a generalist in a variety of laboratory disciplines including Blood Bank / Transfusion Medicine, Chemistry (including Urinalysis and Toxicology), Hematology and Coagulation, Microbiology / Molecular Microbiology, and Specimen Receiving, Accessioning, and Processing.
Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment in the laboratory.
Recognizes deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction in this laboratory and initiates corrective actions as deemed appropriate. Informs the supervisors of malfunctions and status of corrective actions implemented.
Follows standard operating procedures in all applicable areas to assure accuracy of laboratory results. Verifies and reports results in a timely manner and communicates critical results.
Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements for all departments in the laboratory on the alternate tour shift.
Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance.
Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors that influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Calls critical results to providers per policy.
Work Schedule: Tour of Duty includes the evening shift and the overnight shift, including weekends and holidays.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not requiredBasic 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: Medical technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Education and/or Experience Combination: In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess: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.
Certification: All candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as an MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, and AMT 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.
Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series. Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
Grade Determinations:
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. 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.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, Part II Appendix G24; Medical Technologist Qualification Standard; GS-644The 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.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9.
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, bending over microscope, reaching for supplies or material, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision.
Preferred Experience: Two years of experience as a generalist preferred. Certification as MT / CLS required, ASCP certification is preferred.
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
3.4
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
