QUALIFICATIONS

Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment not to exceed 2 years and may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). This appointment may not be extended.

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: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education : A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry
• Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:
• (1) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
• (2) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.

Exception for Non-Certified.
(a)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. (b) 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).(c)Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.(d)Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.(e)Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR APPLICATION, RESUME, C.V., AND/OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WILL BE VERIFIED. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

• Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• REQUIRED - Resume Must include the following information for each job listed:
• 
  
• Job title

• 
  
• Duties (be as detailed as possible)

• 
  
• Month & Year start/end dates (e.g. June 2017 to April 2019)

• 
  
• Full-time or part-time status (MUST include hours worked per week)

• 
  
• Your resume must also demonstrate that you meet the KSAs listed for the occupation and grade at which you qualify.

• Professional Certification: Generalist certification as an MLS or MT given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
• Transcript - To meet the basic requirement of the position.

IMPORTANT You will not be contacted for additional information. Documents will not be accepted after the announcement has closed. Applicants will be deemed ineligible and removed from consideration, if your application package is incomplete and if supporting documentation is not submitted.

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Transcript

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12707132.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help

DUTIES

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Greets / identifies patients; secures and accessions appropriate laboratory orders and requests written follow-up / ‘read back’ for verbal orders from ordering personnel; performs phlebotomy on inpatients and outpatients; and labels specimencontainers per accreditation agency standards / SOP.
• Verifies correct identification of patients and specimens using two identifiers throughout collection, aliquoting, processing, handling, testing, reporting, and storage according to requirements.
• The incumbent performs a broad range of advanced and complex laboratory procedures.
• Evaluates specimen suitability for analysis, requesting new specimen (or recollection) if necessary. Documents specimen rejections and corrective actions according to lab SOP. Logs in all acceptable specimens received into the appropriate accession areas during preanalytical phase of processing.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking in to account physiologic processes and requirements.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures with quality control checks. Identifies and trouble shoots cause(s) of malfunction and performs simple repairsand corrective actions when maintenance, function checks, calibration, and quality control fail.
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance improvement.
• Follows all applicable regulations when preparing specimens for commercial transport systems (DOT / IATA/USPS/Private courier/ VA Driver). Maintains current knowledge of transportation regulations by participating in continuing education asavailable to ensure active certification for specimen shipping / transport.
• Assesses specimens for additional laboratory testing orders and performs additional lab testing as indicated.
• Performs routine quality assessments promptly and accurately.
• Communicates effectively and in both writing and verbally when dealing with co-workers, supervisors, and patients.
• The incumbent adheres to established safety policies, participates in the competency assessment programs, and performs analysis of proficiency testing (CAP Surveys).
• Supports quality assurance activities in the Laboratory.
• Works with different computer applications to include: CPRS, VistA, Excel, Word, etc.

Work Schedule: M-F hours TBD
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 07402F, 07401F, 07400F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact susan.bringel@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12707132.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip