Medical Technician

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The position is located within the San Francisco VA Medical Center and reports to the Microbiology section of the Pathology and Laboratory Department.

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. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification. Certification. (1) Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations. (a) American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) ASCP, Board of Certification. OR ASCP, Board of Registry. (b) American Medical Technologists. OR (b) American Association of Bioanalyst. (2) Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may receive a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed two years as a graduate MLT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) without the option to extend. 3 For grade levels above full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 4.c.(1) above (3) Loss of Certification. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the MLT occupation who fail to maintain the required certification, which may also result in separation from employment. 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: Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-07 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. Assignment-specific KSAs are designated with an asterisk (*) and are only required if that task is required of the position, as indicated in part (c) below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs 1-4 and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) if MLTs are assigned advanced MLT duties: 1. Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. 2. Skill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. 3. Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes. 4. Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment. 5. Knowledge of laboratory information technology (IT) systems including troubleshooting systems issues, interface requirements between new instruments and existing IT infrastructure and laboratory IT test development. 6. Ability to convey knowledge of safety regulations and guidelines such as College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with continuing education and employee orientation to ensure staff compliance with safety requirements. 7. Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. 8. Ability to assist with quality management activities in the laboratory, including monitoring and evaluating quality in accordance with CLIA and CAP, conducting quality improvement activities and communicating quality management results Preferred Experience: The technician develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory collections. Accessioning and specimen processing are performed routinely on a variety of biological specimens using multiple techniques and requires exercise of independent judgement and responsibility. Experience in relevant areas preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.