Medical Technologist (Advanced Staff Technologist) (Night Shift)

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.
• 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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.

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 (Advanced Staff Technologist) (Night Shift) GS-10

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques.
• Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems.
• Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Functions of the position include but are not limited to:

• MTs at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: serves as primary operator on new test systems, assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of the new test systems; assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed. Provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees; recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments. These assignments have specialized training and experience. Employee has advanced knowledge of the core laboratory and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and are performed by the incumbent at least 50% of the time.
• The incumbent maintains knowledge of current medical technology principles and procedures by attendance and/or participation in continuing education programs and/or by reading relevant journals, and recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• The incumbent has a high level of responsibility in the department. This may include, but is not limited to, supply control, instrument maintenance, conducting various technical analyzer performance studies, managing quality control, and participation as a member of the VISN 1 Functional Groups. The incumbent will maintain some procedures, writing and revising as needed. In addition, be well informed of the most up to date technology, presenting recommendations for improvements or changes to the supervisor. Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more difficult, complex, or unique tests requiring special knowledge. Assists the supervisor in technical phases of the organizational level on various aspects of the specialized testing including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. Attends training for complex analytical instruments and is responsible for training employees in its operation. Conducts studies needed for complex testing. Performs complex maintenance procedures and is consulted as the in-house expert for troubleshooting problems.
• The incumbent may be required to provide essential and emergency laboratory coverage at anytime, day or night. The incumbent may be required to rotate work assignments for weekends, evenings and holidays, to work solo, and/or serve as acting Supervisor.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience as a Generalist in Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, and Urinalysis.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, kneeling, reaching, moderate lifting of instruments and materials up to 50 pounds, walking moderate distances, mental alertness, and ability to work under pressure due to meeting established timetables for documentation