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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f).
- 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:
- 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.
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).
Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties described in this qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before being promoted to those higher grade levels.
- Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
- Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment.
Experience.
(1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, a candidate must possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the scope of Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) practice. The candidate's experience must be evidenced by active professional practice. (Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional MLT).
(2) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit equals two weeks of half-time work.
(3) Quality of Experience. Experience is creditable if it is directly related to ML T duties equal to or exceeding professional ML T experience at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement:
GS-07 Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician
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.
This experience may include, but is not limited to: Using independent judgment to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. Performing day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care. This includes providing pre-analytic instructions to patients, VA staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens. Using processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and accurately labeling and sorting patient specimens. Operating and maintaining all instrumentation in assigned areas to deliver precise, timely and accurate laboratory results when analyzing body fluids such as blood, urine and tissue samples. Analyzing laboratory findings and issue necessary reports.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- 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 CUA and CAP, conducting quality improvement activities and communicating quality management results.
Preferred Experience: Experience in Microbiology, plating specimens, reading plated specimens, knowledge of normal flora and pathogens by source, using Microbiology analyzers for identification and susceptibility testing for pathogenic bacteria and yeast , knowledge of quality control practices and performing PCR testing.
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: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs); As needed - Straight pulling, pushing, walking, standing, repeated bending, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see and distinguish depth perception, basic colors, and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). In addition, the ability to deal with constant noise, work around machinery with moving parts, work closely with others or alone and work protracted or irregular hours.