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. Program 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.
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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Education-Transcripts Submitted. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certification-Documentation Submitted (if applicable). (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. Exception for Non-Certified: Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency. Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment, the Human Resources(HR) Office staff, in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may 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 GS-11: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions. Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
This is the clinical laboratory scientist is responsible for testing procedures that 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. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines including hematology, Chemistry, Blood Bank Limited by microbiology and serology at the VAMC West Palm Beach. Duties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation which includes the sections of Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, serology, blood bank, and Limited Microbiology. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and bio security in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions for all testing performed. Evaluates and interprets the results to determine if the data obtained are complete and valid. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action. Selects the procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient consideration. Processes specimens to prepare them for specific culture and microscopic analysis, controls physical conditions, and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained. Repairs reagents, special media, and biological stains; assembles equipment, personally performs, and calculates results for a variety of complex tests. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains laboratory instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation via quality control checks. Evaluates the validity of laboratory data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data with other laboratory data and or other patient data to verify results. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies conditions which cause erroneous results. Advises on course of action to follow when values obtained from standard control sample values, or proficiency test programs are unacceptable. Processes and dispatches specimens to reference laboratories assuring that viability is maintained by proper preservation and that laws and regulations are followed for transporting etiologic agents. Maintains record keeping system for test results, receipt, and routing of results. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: This is for an evening-night shift position 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m./ 11:-00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. with rotating weekends. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance at V8_EDRP_WPB@va.gov. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 41740F, 41800F, 40289F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized