This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Conducts literature search if indicated and documents actions taken in quality assurance logs. Prepares reagents, assembles equipment, identifies all operational problems and troubleshoots accordingly, performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance, performs and calculates results for a variety of complex tests such as sterile fluid exams, buffy coat smears, Gram Stains, special tests for hemolytic anemia, special coagulation studies for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) workups and body fluid differentials. Performs a broad range of complex blood banking duties including obtaining blood and other components from outside sources for transfusion; screens patient blood samples for irregular antibodies to determine if rare or unusual antibodies are present; types and crossmatches patient/donor for transfusion prepares platelet and type specific plasma for infusion; solves complex antibody problems; investigates transfusion reactions and completes allcomputer data entry. Performs ABO and RH typing of specimens, resolving discrepancies between forward and reverse typing. Performs antibody screening; identifies any antibody detected in the screen by testing patient serum against an appropriate panel of red cells Thaws fresh frozen plasma prepares other components when ordered. Investigates autoimmune hemolytic disease by performing a direct coombs test, using IgG, C3 poly specific reagents. When coombs test is positive, the sample is further evaluated to determine if the antibody coating the red cells is an auto- or allo-antibody. Selects appropriate donor blood to be transfused; performs crossmatching between the patient's serum and the donor's red blood cells; resolves any compatibility problems before transfusion. Performs transfusion reaction investigations. Inspects donor units prior to issue. Monitors and evaluates all requests for blood and blood products to ensure that request meets VA blood usage criteria as established by the VA Transfusion Committee. Orders blood and blood products from Community Blood Center; returns blood products when appropriated to improve community-wide blood utilization. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment, including but not limited to, water baths, blood bank and surgery refrigerators, water purification system, reagent refrigerators and blood warmer. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in testperformance due to instrument malfunction and takes appropriate actions to correct. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities andcorrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles andtheories of performance improvement. Takes corrective action to resolve allproblems. Solves testing problems and helps develop new solutions toimprove the efficiency and quality of the laboratory. Records allmaintenance, troubleshooting, and quality control data for improvement of theprocess. Performs proficiency testing as assigned. Receives, accessions and performs testing indicated on CBOC laboratory samples and from Western orbit VISN 15 hospitals and clinics. Troubleshoots problems involving patient identification specimen validity, test accuracy, and any computer problems. Assists in the development of the specimen delivery process and looks to improve the process and techniques. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Adheres to requirements to accomplish plans to assure successful accreditation by regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, CAP, CLIA, FDA, American Association of Blood Banks and other governing bodies. Makes minor modifications to complex logic schemes in hematological test systems to determine corrective actions for problems (e.g., saline replacement, cold agglutinins, clumped platelets or high WBC counts). Prepares microbiology specimens for initial processing on appropriate culture media to ensure satisfactory cultivation and identification of both aerobic and anaerobic microbial agents.

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and/or Experience Combination (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. c. 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. 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 mustcurrently 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). (3)Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-9 (Full Performance Level) (a) 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. OR, (b) Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related field. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of professional MT principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. 2. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement in order to manage reagent and supply inventories and document control systems. 3. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair instrumentation. 4. Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. 5. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. 6. Ability to read, interpret and apply complex written instructions. 7. Skilled in informatics, laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes. 8. Ability to communicate, consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. Preferred Experience: BS degree or higher in medical laboratory science; ASCP certified. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Incumbent must meet physical standards for the position. The work is normally completed in an indoor office setting. Incumbent is required to stand, bend, stoop, lift, and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, incumbent will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. For additional information, see VA Directive and Handbook 5019 http://vaww.va. gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/501 9.pdf.

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 Kansas City VA Medical Center 4801 Linwood Boulevard Kansas City, MO 64128 US
• Name: Tiffany Williams
• Phone: 0000000000
• Email: [email protected]