The Advanced Medical Technologist (Analyzer Specialist) carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the GS-9 but has higher levels of professional responsibilities and expertise. At the GS-10 level, the Advanced Staff Medical Technologist performs complex laboratory functions.

Duties

The Analyzer Specialist will be assigned duties in Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Coagulation and Blood Bank at the VA Northern California Health Care System Clinical Laboratories. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Assists supervisor with new employee training and annual competency. Reviews records for errors and takes corrective actions as needed. Assists the supervisor in writing and maintaining procedures, provides advice on work methods, practices and procedures. Stays current in all CAP, CLIA and Joint Commission regulatory requirements. Participates in preparation for inspections by regulatory agencies, such as TJC, CAP, AABB, by reviewing compliance requirements, makes recommendations for improvements, participates in inspection preparation and assisting with inspection day activities. Participates in the review and submission of inspection responses. Reviews test results for errors and unusual test results. Determines what action is needed for follow up. Performs quality control testing, reviews results, and takes corrective action for results that are out of control. Employee will be responsible for a specific analytical instrument or test system. Attends vendor training as needed and is responsible for employee training, system trouble shooting, monitoring instrument reagents and supplies, reviewing equipment logs and assuring that proper maintenance is being performed. Performs weekly inventory and submits inventory reports to supervisor. Performs advanced daily, weekly, monthly, and as needed maintenance to assigned analyzers. Performs complex maintenance procedures and is consulted as the expert for trouble shooting problems on the instrument. Assist in the startup and implementation of new test systems. Assists in submission of proficiency testing (PT), review of PT results and assists in the investigation and documentation for PT deficiencies.-Participates in Service process improvement projects and monitors outcomes and follow-on audits. Assists medical staff with questions regarding laboratory orders and test results. Is responsible for temperature monitoring in assigned areas and responsible for taking corrective action, placing work orders, and notifying supervisor.- Is responsible for entering in daily QC into Intra-laboratory quality assurance program. Performs other duties as assigned. Perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Evaluates testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work in the department to ensure appropriate prioritization and timely completion of tasks. Coaches staff in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques. Assists in periodic equipment maintenance, linearity studies and other studies as needed, to ensure completion on time. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01862-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Education (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.), 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, 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, 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. Certification. Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determination: GS-10 Experience Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. 2. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. 3. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. 4. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Assignment Medical Technologists at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: serves as primary operator on new test systems, assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of the new test systems; assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed; oversight of the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist); provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees; recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments; coordinates the laboratory competency program; and coordinates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) laboratory proficiency/survey program. Preferred Experience: Experience in all lab testing responsibilities of the GS-9 grade level. Experience in performing complex laboratory functions at the GS-10 grade level. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24. Medical Technologist QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-644, Veterans Health Administration, May 12, 2014. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Must meet physical requirements in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

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

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 VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: Herbert Lum
• Phone: 702-791-9000 X14057
• Email: [email protected]