KEY REQUIREMENTS



• English Language Proficiency required
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner.Conduct studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area. Recommend new/replacement instrumentation. Design work flow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area.  Advise all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information.  Advise on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses.  Identify training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.  Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists.  Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing.  Applies laws, policies, and precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing.  Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program

One year of specialized experience at next lower level.

Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance.  They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment.  For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

In addition to the experience listed above, applicant must be able to demonstrate the following technical KSAs below:

(1)  Advanced knowledge and understanding of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.

(2)  Knowledge and skill sufficient to apply standard medical technology techniques to conduct a variety of difficult and complex test systems.

(3)  Ability to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing

(4)  Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures.

(5)  Knowledge to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

References : VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix GS24, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

QUALIFICATION STANDARD , dated February 2009,  and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm ( or you may use the following generic citation) VA Handbook 5005 at http://www.va.gov/ohrm/joblistings/VAQualStds.doc (also available in the local Human Resources Office) and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm. ]

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 field, provided the applicant’s total background demonstrates evidence of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position to be filled. OR

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.  Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.  All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. *** 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. ***

All candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification examination as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist given by the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR), the National Credentialing Agency (NCA), American Association of Clinical Chemists (AACC) or American Medical Technologists (AMT), or the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB). 

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.  In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life.  For more information please visit us at http://www4.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp .

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 

Receiving Service Credit for 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.   VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.  This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

YOU MUST INCLUDE VA FORM 10-2850c IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY.   You may upload the completed form to your USAJOBS or Application Manager account if you apply online.  Then you can use the uploaded form again and again when applying for future vacancies.  Please see this guide (http://www4.va.gov/OHRM/joblistings/uploading-and-using-documents-online.doc) for more information on uploading and re-using the form in your applications.  Other required forms and documents can also be saved in your account and used the same way.  Applicants are urged to apply online; this process is much easier and faster.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application, just reapply through your account in USAJOBS.  Check your account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Login.aspx ) to see the status of your application after applying, including any messages that may have been sent to you.

If you cannot apply online:

1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire: View Occupational Questionnaire.
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire: http://www.opm.gov./forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf.
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to (478)757-3144.  Your 1203FX form must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
4. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:

1. Complete this cover page  http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID: 603798.  You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.
2. Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Resume.
2. Occupational Questionnaire

  3.   Include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required).

  4.   DD-214 & letter of 30% or more disability

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements.  You will be notified when this decision is made.