Career Center

This position will serve in the Massachusetts Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC) Core Laboratory located in Jamaica Plain, MA. The work involves specimen preparations involving processing blood, isolating DNA or RNA or preparing immortalized cell lines. IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-7 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the Federal service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to this Medical Technician position to be filled. Specialized experience for the position includes (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. Additional specialized experience includes: Preparing samples of blood, tissue, urine, or other organic substances for testing; performing preliminary microscopic evaluations of specimens; maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies; maintaining proper records. ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: You must have successfully completed one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education in subjects directly related to the position. (Transcripts Required) ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience, as described above, to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-7 level. (Transcripts Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Information Technology Research and DevelopmentQuality AssuranceTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such 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; religious; 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ["***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 3 years). Term appointments are non-status, non-permanent appointments of limited duration. Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition. Major duties and responsibilities include: Perform necessary experimentation in order to achieve the required objectives of the research program. Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies used, maintain proper records of research data, and assist in performing data analyses. Assist in the preparation of reports, presentations, posters, figures, abstracts, and manuscript associated with the studies. Maintains elaborate and complex laboratory facilities/equipment and controls supplies. Determines compliance with safety requirements, establishes inventory and equipment maintenance requirements, and maintains appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules. Maintain laboratory stock and orders materials, as needed. Prepares samples of blood, tissue, urine, or other organic substance providing specimens that effectively support test, examination, or research procedures. Performs biochemical procedures to measure proteins, DNA, etc. and ensure safe processes are used with critical concern for the donor and for the quality of the specimen. Performs test and examination procedures for diagnostic, surveillance, experimental and reference samples. Organizes and executes protocols. Conducts tests to determine the viability or toxic reactivity of the specimen to external stimuli after isolation and purification. Performs preliminary microscopic evaluations of specimens' behavior and after experimental use to verify precise procedures. Work Schedule: Full Time, Tuesday - Saturday 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received"]