RFI Attachment 1 - Labor Group Description final.docx

VHA Integrated Critical Staffing Program Labor Group Descriptions (Recommended Labor Categories)

Position Descriptions Descriptions and qualification standards of each VA occupation and series can be found below. Of note, all occupations must be U.S. Citizens and have English language proficiency (spoken and written), with the exception of Food Service Workers, Housekeeping Aids, Medical Technicians. Note that Occupation and Series are top level indicators which would ultimately include defined labor categories based on specialty and subject matter expertise. A final labor category matrix (with exception of inherently governmental positions) may include additional positions listed within VA Handbook 5005 and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards

Registration. A registered nurse (RN) will have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The appointing official may waive this registration if the RN is to serve in a country other than the U.S. and the RN has registration in that country (e.g., Philippines). The RN must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA.

Licensure and Registration. Physicians must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The physician must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

Residency. Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) See qualification standard for approved residencies.

Board Certification: Physicians are generally not required to be board certified for employment in VA; however, see the qualification standard for the three circumstances in VA that require physician board certification.

Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Internship: See qualification standard Board Certification. If internship was not accredited at the time the program was completed, must be board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.

Certification. Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:

(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.

(2) For positions up to the full performance level, candidates must currently possess the categorical or specialist technologist level certification from the certification agencies listed above, such as, but not limited to, chemistry (C/SC), hematology (H/SH), microbiology (M/SM), molecular biology (MB/SMB) and blood bank (BB/SBB). Technologists with categorical or specialist certifications may only perform duties within the area of the laboratory specific to their categorical certification (e. g., an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry).

Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/

Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [or Mammography (M) duties performed independently, as applicable]. Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent [can operate independently] and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination. In modalities that require advanced certification, to support their continued development, technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.

Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.

Individual Occupation Requirements: Medical Technician Series, 0645 Please see the OPM qualification standard and individual occupation requirements for education, training and specialized experience requirements.

Note: In this system, the job element method is used to match what applicants can do against what the work calls for. The knowledge, skills, and abilities of applicants are compared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. If applicants have the ability to do the work, they are considered eligible for the job.

Federal Wage System Job Grading Standard for Food Service Working, 7408 and OPM List of Approved Job Elements.

Note: In this system, the job element method is used to match what applicants can do against what the work calls for. The knowledge, skills, and abilities of applicants are compared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. If applicants have the ability to do the work, they are considered eligible for the job.

Engineer (801)

(1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or

(2) Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or

(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Qualification Standard: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1; January 13, 2023 Basic Requirements. See qualification standard Grade Level Creditable Education and Specialized Experience Requirements. See qualification standard

See the OPM qualification standard for education and general and specialized experience requirements.

Appendix The qualification standards for each VA occupational series described above can be found — in detail — at the following hyperlinks within VA Handbook 5005 and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards:

1. Registered Nurse (0610): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-6; March 17, 2009

2. Medical Officer (0602): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-2; April 1, 2020

3. Psychology (0180): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-18; February 7, 2018

4. Practical Nurse (0620): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-13; April 10, 2003

5. Nursing Assistant (0621): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-46; March 12, 2014

6. Medical Technologist (0644): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-24; May 12, 2014

7. Social Work (0185): VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-39; September 10, 2019

8. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (0647): VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-25; December 13, 2019

9. Pharmacy Technician (0661): VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-28; December 13, 2019

10. Medical Technician (0645 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard: Technical and Medical Support Positions

11. Environmental Services Technician (3556 — Wage Grade): Federal Wage System Job Grading Standard for Custodial Working, 3556 and OPM List of Approved Job Elements.

12. Medical Support Assistant (0679): VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-45; August 1, 2019

13. Food Service Worker (7408 — Wage Grade): Federal Wage System Job Grading Standard for Food Service Working, 7408 and OPM List of Approved Job Elements.

14. Health Care Engineer (0801): VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-72; March 18, 2022

15. Medical Supply Technician - Sterile Processing (0622): VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-47; May 28, 2014

16. Budget Analyst (0560 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard. OPM Qualification Standards - Administrative and Management Positions

17. Information Technology Analyst (2210 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard. OPM Qualification Standards - Administrative and Management Positions

18. Management Analyst (0343 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard. OPM Qualification Standards - Administrative and Management Positions

19. Program Management (0340 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard. OPM Qualification Standards - Administrative and Management Positions

20. Management and Program Clerks and Assistants (0344 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard. Clerical and Administrative Support Positions

21. Contracting (1102 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard. OPM Qualification Standards – Contracting Series

22. HR Management (0201 - Title 5): VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1; January 13, 2023

23. HR Assistant (0203 - Title 5): OPM Qualification Standard: Clerical and Administrative Support Positions image1.png image2.png