The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for Medical Technologists Generalists (Off-Shift), Chemistry Specialty and Microbiology Specialty. The Medical Technologists will function in PALMS Service. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). 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. Certification. Must possess the appropriate certification as a Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) given 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) or otherwise meet the requirements for certification and this requirement can be met within one year. (Applicants that are not certified must fully meet one of the three education/experience combinations and can only be pending certification. Individuals pending certification can only be appointed temporarily for one year to meet the requirement and the appointment will not be extended.) OR 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). GRADE DETERMINATIONS Creditable Experience. Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice. For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled. Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a MT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, a MT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. 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. Grade Determinations. The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9 (Full Performance Level) 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, Education: Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. AND 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. Physical Requirements. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagents packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. References. VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 May 12, 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. ["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. Learn more Chemistry: Determine the presence and quantity of chemical substances in the blood, urine, and other body fluids to diagnose a variety of illnesses - including diabetes, kidney, and liver disorders. This discipline is automated and specialized to include immunology and urinalysis. Microbiology/Molecular: discipline that evaluates a variety of biological specimens to determine the presence or absence of clinically significant pathogens and the resulting antibiotics used for patient therapy. Generalist: technologist who will be responsible for the disciplines of chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and transfusion medicine. Some duties include, but are not limited to; Pre-analytical evaluation of samples Determine the suitability of samples for the appropriate test. Check sample integrity and suitability. Determine if the sample is QNS, and determine whether the sample meets the time, temperature, or other requirements for testing. Check for proper labeling requirements on the original sample and on sample aliquots or dilutions made from the original sample. Distribute samples to the appropriate area for testing. Follow proper procedures for preparing samples, where appropriate, that are sent for outside testing. Testing Maintain an adequate supply inventory necessary for performance of duties in their assigned unit to prevent unjustified emergency requests and needless waste of materials. Promptly notify the supervisor/senior technologist before the level of reagents, controls, calibrators, and supplies reach predetermined levels of depletion. Ensure that all reagents are stored properly. Ensure that proper reagents are used for the appropriate testing and will properly label all reagents, controls, and calibrators. Maintain, operate, troubleshoot, and repair analytical instruments used for testing, including basic interface issues. Know calibrations and standards, the Analytical Measured Range (AMR), and the Clinically Reportable Range (CRR). Perform testing using standard operating procedures and complete the testing within an established time frame. Keep the supervisor/senior technologist informed of any discrepancies or problems noted and any corrective action taken. Follow proper procedures for performing manual testing and QC. Responsible for maintaining all Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service QA and QC documentation. Interpret results before they are reported and correlate them with the patient's condition. Evaluate results for compliance and acceptability within established ranges. Recognize abnormal and critical results. Report all critical results in a timely manner to the appropriate provider and provide proper documentation. Document and report all deviations to the supervisor/senior technologist. Other Duties Compliant with all accreditation agencies in their department (CAP, FDA, AABB, JC, and IG). Complete CAP Surveys and be familiar with CAP checklists. Keep current in all mandatory education requirements. Successfully complete yearly competencies and all relevant continuing education requirements. Review all laboratory procedures and policies that pertain to their work. Participate in committees and assist in gathering information for committees. Be involved in laboratory process improvement projects. Properly train MLT students and new employees following established procedures and policies. Will be required to act as a certified drug screen collector. At times, may serve as the lead technologist on weekends or holidays if a senior technologist is not on duty. The technologist will perform all other related duties as assigned. Phlebotomy As needed, will perform phlebotomy. May perform difficult and complex sample collection for a full range of tests, where some aspects are not covered in detail in instructions or guidelines. Work Schedule: Part time and full time vacancies. Various shifts available including tours between the hours of 6:00am and 5:00pm, 4:00pm-12:00am and 12:00am-8:00am. Tours will be discussed during the interview process. All generalists will function on the off-shifts, either second or third shift.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Technologist/PD91510-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Pamela.Pendleton@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]