This is a Medical Technologist who serves as Point of Care testing coordinator. Serves as Ancillary Testing Coordinator or Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Coordinator. Point-of-Care refers to those analytical patient-testing activities provided within the institution but performed outside of the physical facilities of the clinical laboratory. POCT covers the following areas: Blood glucose testing, troponin levels, blood gas analysis, coagulation and others when added to laboratory testing menu.

Duties

The Medical Technologist - Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling. Some of the duties of the position are- Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective actions. If unable to resolve immediately notifies the Supervisory Medical Technologist or designated In-Charge Medical Technologist. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Documents all activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed including troubleshooting. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs/corrections. Performs proficiency testing and maintains records for proficiency testing according to CAP and laboratory standards. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Follows the laboratory established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the established levels of performance. Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory established performance specifications. Complies with all Medical Center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. Demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocol to include universal precautions, MSDS safety program, use of personal protective equipment in designated areas, and performance of proper hand washing techniques. Assists in developing and verifying protocols for new instruments and procedures. If assigned by the Supervisory Medical Technologist, revises, creates, and/or maintains section procedure manual of the Clinical Laboratory according to guidelines promulgated by the College of American Pathologists and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Assists in the training of new employees under the direction of the Supervisory Medical Technologist. Attends in-house continuing medical education presentations when available and approved by the Supervisory Medical Technologist. Formally presents information acquired from outside (local or national) professional meetings, workshops, symposiums or training sessions with fellow laboratory employees when requested by the Supervisory Medical Technologist. Designated Medical Technologists with at least one or two years of documented experience in a high complexity Laboratory, and as recommended by the Laboratory Supervisor, may be designated to perform In-Charge Technologist duties for the Laboratory Supervisor who is scheduled off-duty. Coordinates all activities associated with Point-of-Care Testing methods, regardless of location, and all testing sent to reference laboratories. Revises, creates, and/or maintains POCT procedures in various manuals throughout the Medical Center. Procedures are completed according to guidelines promulgated by the College of American Pathologists and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Assists in developing and verifying protocols for new instruments and procedures added to or changed within the POCT testing arena. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs/corrections. Monitors performance of POCT proficiency testing and maintains records for proficiency testing according to CAP and laboratory standards. Reviews proficiency testing results for successfulness and ensures that appropriate action is taken and documented when there is an exception. Maintains records and reports of all Quality Surveillance programs for timely performance and submission of data, in an organized and readily accessible manner. Resolves problems/concerns from point-of-care testing staff regarding analysis, instrument operation, and quality control issues. Meets with representatives of other services to resolve quality improvement problems in order to improve the quality of care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. The selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on patient care needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 80310F 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and Experience: (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: 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. A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. Certification: Candidates must meet 1 of the below: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 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. Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC). The incumbent develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by VHA) including ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained in off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). The ATC consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods, serving as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation. The ATC develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, ensuring accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, result reporting and proficiency testing including reports, monitors and continuous performance improvement initiatives. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines identifying, defining and resolving issues associated with complex aspects of the data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program. The ATC has knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements, performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program, develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition and contracts. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices and methodologies sufficient to perform the full range of maintenance of technical, quality assurance and safety accreditation/testing programs. b. Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing and a grasp of complex laboratory testing issues. c. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement. d. Knowledge of the types of surveillance, ability to collect data necessary to monitor variables that affect quality of services, and skill in evaluating, interpreting and teaching others to use quality control procedures and implementing corrective actions. e. Knowledge of Federal, VHA, and state laws, regulations, reference standards, medicolegal responsibilities, and certifying and accrediting agency requirements in order to carry out the work in each ancillary testing site. f. Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity.

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Olivia Gregg
• Phone: 407-640-1476
• Email: [email protected]