Summary This position is located in the Core Laboratory of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center. The Medical Technician is responsible for performing a wide range of emergency, routine, complex, and specialized test procedures in Clinical Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology, Blood Bank, Microbiology and Urinalysis with minimal on-site supervision. Responsibilities Duties may include but are not limited to; Performs phlebotomy on in-patients and out-patients. Performs technical procedures that include but are not limited to automated chemistry panels, blood banking, complete blood counts, coagulation tests, urinalysis, body fluid analysis, peripheral smear evaluation, point-of-care testing and special studies. Prepares reagents and primary reference materials. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and complex procedures using manual and/or micro-processor controlled instruments in accordance with established laboratory medicine protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunctions. Locates and implements troubleshooting and corrective actions. Obtains analytical data such as photometric end-points, rate reaction or digital readouts and converts them to appropriate prescribed units for reporting. Reviews and correlates data to verify validity and accuracy of results. Verifies laboratory reports identifying sample results and determinable factors. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, performs routine preventative maintenance and documents service on the instruments. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes minor and sometimes complex instrument repairs. Screens test results to detect discrepancies, artifacts, and pathologic change that may warrant additional testing. Correlates patient test results with other laboratory and/or patient data to ensure the accuracy of the result using established quality management procedures. Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if necessary. Prepares specimens for analysis and/or dispatch ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained. Performs tests that involve various duties concerned with test performance, identification and correction of errors, evaluation/interpretation of test results, correlation of data and validation/verification. Other tasks/duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 11:00am-9:00pm with 8 days on and 6 days off. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24052-F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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: Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations. American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) i. ASCP, Board of Certification. or, ii. ASCP, Board of Registry. American Medical Technologists or, American Association of Bioanalysts. Note: For grade levels above full performance level, the candidate must be certified. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (Above Full Performance Level): 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs and the advanced KSA as identified by the corresponding asterisk(s) if MLTs are assigned advanced MLT duties: Knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and medicolegal requirements sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Skill in applying new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. Ability to work independently on a broad range of complex laboratory processes. Ability to troubleshoot and repair specific/advanced complex laboratory equipment. (*)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. (*)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. (*)Ability to plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for the laboratory to meet accreditation standards. (*)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. Assignments: MLTs at this level have a higher level of responsibility for technical oversight and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. They are responsible for performing difficult specialized tasks including, but not limited to, advanced blood banking (antibody titers, elutions), advanced microbiology (Mycobacterium (Acid Fast Bacillus) Identification and Sensitivities, Mycology Identification, Virology, Anaerobic Culture, Polymerase Chain Reaction testing), molecular testing, high complexity testing, recording workload statistics, quality management projects and obtaining data for validation studies. Advanced MLTs may be expected to independently operate the full range of laboratory functions at remote sites. Their duties consist of advanced operation, training and comprehensive troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and resolving any problems. MLTs at this level may act as key operators for specific instrumentation. Advanced duties may also include one or more of the tasks identified below. When these duties are required, advanced MLTs must also demonstrate corresponding KSA(s) as identified by the asterisk(s) below. (*)Laboratory Information Management: Carry out day-to-day operations related to laboratory information systems/computer use and system maintenance. (KSA v) (*)Safety Coordination: Oversee safe handling of specimens, chemicals and equipment by all staff and ensure compliance with safety regulations. (KSA vi) (*)Laboratory Education: Plan and administer an ongoing continuing education program for laboratory staff to meet accreditation requirements. (KSA vii) (*)Quality Management: Coordinate quality management activities within the laboratory and ensure compliance with required standards of quality. (KSA viii) 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-07. Physical Requirements: The work requires extended regular physical exertion, such as standing for long periods of time and bending over microscopes or other instruments. Also, regular recurring procedural tasks requiring dexterity, such as pipetting, measuring chemicals and reagents and the intricate repair of sophisticated laboratory equipment. Lifting of moderately heavy items, usually less than 20 lbs. is also occasionally required of the incumbent. Incumbent is exposed to the normal risks and discomforts encountered in lab testing with the exposure to potentially infectious biological material and chemicals. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.