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. - 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: (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: GS-12 (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. (b) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting and regulatory requirements in order to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans and the ability to judge effectiveness of the operation. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff. Knowledge of, and ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to analyze organizational, technical and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient overall laboratory operation. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders and managers. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. Ability to set short and/or long term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology, etc. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring risks and discomforts associated with working in a clinic. This work requires physical exertion that consists of mainly long periods of standing and some bending and lifting as required for the handling of supplies and equipment. In addition, manual skills are required to be able to perform delicate procedures. ["This is a sample of the duties of this occupation which include, but are not limited to the following: Promotes efficiency among the staff by giving specific assigned duties and training for new procedures through explanation, demonstration and supervised practice or making recommendations based on technical disciplines. Develops of performance standards, develops job descriptions, evaluates work performance, counsels employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory, initiates disciplinary actions when necessary. Develops and maintains a career development program for laboratory personnel, identifies training needs and arranges for and conducts in-service training. Maintains or directs maintenance of records related to quality, production and personnel. The incumbent enforces all Medical Center regulations and maintains harmonious relations among the staff. Acts as a technical advisor to employees of P&LMS and to clinical services and other hospital organizations. Develops and implements the use of protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Monitors conformity to protocols. Implements, maintains, and evaluates procedure and policies in the Microbiology sections to ensure compliance with accrediting agency standards (College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission). Procures of supplies and recommends, along with other VISN 1 supervisors, equipment and instrumentation and assures compliance with budgetary limitations within responsible sections. Takes responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the Section, prepares work schedules and assigns duties to subordinates to assure efficient and timely performance of all tests and procedures in areas of responsibility. Implements the performance of CAP survey unknown specimens by technicians/technologists rotating in the Section and prepares the appropriate work sheets for the Quality Control Program. Documents corrective action taken on out-of-range CAP survey results. Takes responsibility for the quality control program for the Section, assures that appropriate records are maintained, and investigates complaints from the hospital staff concerning questionable results. Works as a technologist as needed and accomplishes duties specifically assigned to the technologist in the Sections supervised. Calibrates, standardizes, and adjusts instruments; verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks; and identifies the cause of common problems and makes repairs. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and 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; and recognizes abnormal results which require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm , Monday - Friday\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nReferences: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): May Be Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.\nThis position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.\nThis position is in the Excepted Service."]