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 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. 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. Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT; OR 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: GS-7 (Entry Level) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be required to stand, bend, stoop, lift and kneel for long periods of time. They must also be able to lift moderately heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions. ["This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2022. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.\nMedical Technologist works throughout the lab as a generalist and also works weekends, holidays and the evening or night shift by themselves when priorities demonstrate a need. Duties include, but are not limited to: Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results Test 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 Performs in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), coagulation, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), serology, and urinalysis Monitors 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 Shows exceptional abilities in problem resolution Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques Competent in the areas of Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, Serology, Special Chemistry and Urinalysis Prepares reagents, assembles equipment and verifies correct instrument operation Maintains validity of assay system by appropriate testing of reagents prior to use for patient testing. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures Correlates and integrates information and performs additional testing to confirm abnormal results Skillfully collects venous blood samples from patients adhering to all safety and patient care requirements Work Schedule: Varying 8-hour shifts available including days, evenings, nights and weekends, some flexible work schedules may apply. Specific shift details will be discussed at time of interview.\"\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 50748-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Brandee O'Brien the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]