Medical Technologist (Molecular)
Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Idaho City
Posted on: June 23, 2022
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Job Description:
Summary This position is located in Pathology and Lab Medical
Service, Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, ID. Responsibilities
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The incumbent serves as a
generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing
procedures in the areas of Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation,
Urinalysis, Immunohematology, and Microbiology. The generalist
medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular
basis through the above-mentioned areas. He/She also works off-hour
shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need.
This is considered the full performance level for non-supervisory
positions. An MT 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. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality
control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and
treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory and
other healthcare professionals, and others in the medical center
setting including the public. Incumbent maintains a comprehensive
knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory
science principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for
sound independent work and knowledge of laboratory quality control
and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of laboratory
equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair
instrumentation; ability to use independent technical judgment to
analyze and interpret laboratory results; ability to interpret and
apply complex written instructions; ability to communicate,
consult, and interact with other members of the healthcare team,
external relations, customer service, and patient education.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The duties and
responsibilities of the Medical Technologist - Generalist includes
but is not limited to the following: Evaluates and solves problems
related to collection and processing of biological specimens for
analysis taking into account physiologic processes and
requirements. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures
including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory
occupation. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory
procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques; recognizes
deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems
using scientific principles. Performs and documents quality control
and assurance activities and corrective actions related test
performance using statistical principles and theories of
performance improvement. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and
maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using
established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring.
Performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses
deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.
Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and
accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with
patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.
Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient
results. Recognizes abnormal and critical results that require
immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work
area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and
verification of the results recorded into the computer system.
Follows established guidelines for performance of all testing to
include proficiency testing. Work Schedule: Variable Shifts,
Weekends and Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not
a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not
Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
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. Successfully pass the E-Verify
employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify,
including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
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. 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: Medical Technologist 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. Preferred
Experience: 1 year of clinical laboratory experience. Molecular
experience preferred (See functional statement summary for
additional description of assigned duties.) References: VA HANDBOOK
5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 The full performance level of this
vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking,
squatting, bending, sitting, and changing from one position to
another frequently throughout the day. Requires good manual
dexterity to manipulate equipment. Education 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.
Additional Information 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. To ensure
compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction,
which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the
course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no
action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement
pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease
2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a
VA job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order
14043, that requirement does not currently apply to this Job
Announcement. VA may request information regarding your vaccination
status, if selected, for the purposes of implementing other
workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing,
testing, travel, and quarantine. Due to COVID-19, VA is currently
in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected
to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the
local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the
office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed
on this announcement. Management officials will provide information
about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when
applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to
continue to telework depending upon the terms of your
organization's telework policy and the duties of the position. If
you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not
have in electronic form, view the following link for information
regarding an Alternate Application.
Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Boise , Medical Technologist (Molecular), Healthcare , Idaho City, Idaho
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