Summary

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.

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 asan 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
• 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
• Foreign Education
• Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a current certification as described in subparagraph 4.c
• English Language Proficiency
• MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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: Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-05
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Medical Laboratory Technician - GS-06
• Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i Knowledge of MLT principles - practices - concepts and theories forsound independent work
• ii Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures to manage reagents and supply inventories using document control systems
• iii Ability to maintain - troubleshoot and repair instrumentation
• iv Ability to work as a team member in a laboratory setting to effectively complete assignments
• v Ability to use technical judgment to interpret laboratory results
• vi Ability to apply complex written laboratory instructions
• vii Ability to consult with other members of the health care team - patients and external customers
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS5 to GS6
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Collects blood specimens from inpatients - outpatients - and emergency room patients using vacutainer - syringe - butterfly - or capillary techniques
• Performs venipuncture with minimal patient bruising - failures - or required re-sticks
• Adapts collection methods based on patient age - condition - or special needs (e.g. - pediatric or geriatric patients)
• Provides clear instructions to patients for self-collected specimens like 24-hour urine or stool samples
• Maintains aseptic techniques and uses personal protective equipment during all collections
• Verifies specimen labeling matches orders to ensure accuracy and prevent errors
• Handles difficult draws (e.g. - frail veins) using professional judgment and alternative techniques
• Verifies specimen suitability (e.g. - volume - condition) and requests redraws if inadequate
• Distributes specimens to appropriate lab sections (e.g. - hematology - microbiology) efficiently
• Packages specimens for transport - adhering to DOT and IATA regulations for hazardous materials
• Troubleshoot and repair instrumentation
• Documents test results in VISTA or electronic health record systems accurately
• Ensures proper technique to avoid erroneous results (e.g. - INR for anticoagulant patients)
• Cleans and maintains lab equipment (e.g. - centrifuges - analyzers) per infection control guidelines
• Participates in team meetings - providing input on workflow improvements
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 6:00am - 2:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.