The Medical Technologist (Regional Technical Specialist) is an integral member of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) management team, participating in service management meetings and acting as the authority on regulations, accreditation and Quality Management within a clinical laboratory setting. Ensures compliant development and monitoring of all programs within its purview. *** An Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. ***

Duties

The Medical Technologist (Regional Technical Specialist) provides independent authoritative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to accreditation and regulatory compliance, quality assurance and performance improvement, safety management, and employee education program in a clinical laboratory setting. Maintains a laboratory Quality Management program with associated Performance Improvement program. Manages an accreditation compliance program, safety program, and employee continuing education program. Program responsibility is overarching and covers all areas subject to laboratory regulation and accreditation including Gainesville, Lake City, Outpatient Clinics and MOHS clinic. Interacts with management officials and members of the safety, quality management and education programs within the Health System. Duties may include but are not limited to: Develops and maintains a comprehensive Quality Management Program ensuring each site's compliance with VHA Handbook 1106.1, and all accreditation and regulatory requirements in collaboration with each site's Medical Director. Provides technical oversite related to all questions of regulatory and/or accreditation compliance across the NF/SG laboratory system including Gainesville, Lake City, Outpatient clinic laboratories and MOHS clinic. Makes site visits to each site requiring accreditation or subject to regulation by CAP, CUA, VHA Handbook 1106.1, and/or other laboratory regulating or accrediting bodies, on a monthly basis with a minimum of 9 visits to each qualifying location each year. Chair of the NF/SG PLMS Quality Management Committee. Member/participant in PLMS policy/procedure review committee/meetings. PLMS representative at NF/SG Safety Committee, Patient Safety Committee and other service or system level committees as assigned. Ensures each site laboratory adheres to all practices and regulations related to workplace safety according to all OSHA, JCAHO, CAP and other regulatory bodies. Performs periodic inspections, alone or in conjunction with the facilities Safety Officer or other safety personnel. Maintains current safety, disaster, and chemical hygiene policies and procedures. Ensure employees have received safety trainings and maintains documentation. Documents accidents and recommends improvements to management. Makes policy and procedure recommendations to clinical laboratory supervisors, Lab Manager, Administrative Officer, and Chief, to ensure compliance with all pertinent regulations and accreditation guidelines. Works across laboratory sections/sites to assure PLMS performance measures are met. Creates and applies reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives, both within the laboratory settings and throughout the organization as appropriate. Maintains a laboratory performance improvement program and ensures measurement of performance monitors and customer feedback. Implements effective processes and system controls to ensure the highest possible product quality, service quality, and patient safety. Represents PLMS at the NF/SG Performance Improvement Committee. Works with local and non-local laboratories, universities, and businesses to develop a comprehensive continuing education program for all laboratory staff. Advises staff on compliance with VHA continuing education requirements. Documents all continuing education for laboratory staff in appropriate tracking system (i.e. TMS). Responsible for keeping laboratory policies current and available to all medical center personnel. Works in conjunction with leadership to eliminate waste and variation while increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of all laboratory and related hospital operations. Ensures that policies, procedure and practices across laboratory sites are standardized and consistent. Builds coalitions across the organization to create and maintain mechanism to share information and ensure integrated laboratory practice. Educates and utilizes appropriate staff on Quality, Performance and Process improvement principles and practice as required to meet performance measures, regulatory and accrediting requirements and standardization across the NF/SG system. Develops training programs focused on enabling operational leaders to achieve strategic and annual operational goals. All other duties as assigned or required for the effective management and implementation of Laboratory Quality Management, safety, performance improvement and education programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Available - Per Agency policy and Service Approval on an Ad hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD50348F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate subject to approval, available funding, and in accordance with agency policy. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency: Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, 5a. Education and/or Experience Combination: In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess: (1) A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.) (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND Completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The professional curriculum may have consisted of a post-baccalaureate certificate program or be integrated into a four year program of study that culminated in a baccalaureate degree. -OR- (2) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND Two years of post-certification clinical laboratory experience (e.g., blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, clinical microscopy, etc.) within the last ten years as a certified Medical Laboratory Technician by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC), American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory. -OR- (3) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND five years of clinical laboratory experience within the last ten years performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following: (1) A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree. (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. Certification-(Submitted): Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT -OR- 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). Grandfathering Provision - See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information in applying this provision. GRADE DETERMINATIONS - The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Grade Determinations for Medical Technologist GS-12: Experience: GS-12, must have one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge and understanding of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating and evaluating laboratory services. Ability to apply laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements in order to establish, monitor and maintain the specialized testing. Advanced knowledge and understanding of medicolegal and compliance requirements sufficient to provide direction for complex diagnostic testing. Knowledge of laboratory information systems and programming techniques in order to develop, adapt and maintain computer systems for accomplishing diagnostic laboratory work and quality assurance. Knowledge of the types of surveillance needed to monitor variables that affect quality of services including quality control, quality management, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation and continuous quality improvement. Skill in evaluating, interpreting, and teaching others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions. Ability to develop new test procedures and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Assignment: Regional Technical Specialist - The incumbent serves as a recognized expert and provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of the organization advising on various aspects of the specialized testing, coordinating VISN or regional specialized services such as, but not limited to, quality management or information management. The Regional Technical Specialist develops new policies and procedures regarding LIS/HIS, conducts studies an recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area and creates and applies re-engineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives. The incumbent analyzes emerging trends, software/technology, and adopts appropriate methods. Identifies, defines/resolves issues associated with complex data aspects or unique/controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) and light carrying (under 15 pounds), use of both hands and fingers, standing for 2-3 hours, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, mentally and emotionally stable, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, depth perception & ability to work with solvents. Frequent keyboarding and computer work required. Work Conditions may include but not limited to: The work involves regular recurring risk of discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory, e.g., working with infectious substances & irritant reagents.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The professional curriculum may have consisted of a post-baccalaureate certificate program or be integrated into a four-year program of study that culminated in a baccalaureate degree.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Diana Dieringer
• Phone: 727-967-6873
• Email: [email protected]