Serves as a Lead Medical Technologist over assigned laboratory specialty area(s). They are responsible for all aspects of operation in their assigned area(s) including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance. Incumbent will be considered Subject Matter Expert (SME) of their assigned area(s) and is responsible for ensuring compliance within the boundaries, rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Responsible for all aspects of operation in their assigned specialty area(s) including (but not limited to) preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance. Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed and assigned specialty area(s) priorities, goals, needs and achievements are coordinated with management. Acts as a liaison between the specialty area(s) and Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Director. Serves as an expert in assigned area(s) providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists. Maintains process control in assigned specialty area(s) through a multifaceted quality assurance program. Monitors and review quality control data to ensure the highest possible product quality, service quality, and patient safety. Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems. Assists and oversees calibration and preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Prepares reports, writes operating procedures, maintains records, and administrative information. Prepares and presents work-related information to supervisors. Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area(s). Performs statistical analyses on quality control data and monitors quality assurance. Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed. Responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation. Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation, automation, and test procedures. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as (but not limited to) CAP, The Joint Commission, and OSHA. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisory Medical Technologist & QA Manager(s). Coordinates proficiency program for their assigned specialty area(s). Accepts assigned specialty area(s) to best meet clinical laboratory requirements at the discretion of Laboratory Manager and/or Medical Director. Specialty areas may include (but are not limited to) Shipping & Receiving, Phlebotomy, Urinalysis, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation & Microbiology. Technologist may be required to move to new specialty areas as need dictates. Travels to other laboratories as needed to perform duties and/or to provide primary laboratory coverage to meet mission requirements (i.e. manning shortage and/or emergency situations). Performs the full range of laboratory testing on any/all laboratory shifts including (but not limited to) duty on weekends, holidays, nights, on-call rotation and/or other shifts. Incumbent may be required to rotate/work different shifts. Incumbent may be assigned to rotate to different areas of the laboratory at times of peak workload. Maintains proficiency/competency sufficient to perform the full range of laboratory testing on any/all laboratory shifts including (but not limited to) duty on weekends, holidays, nights, on-call rotation and/or other shifts. Any clinical laboratory and/or medical center task that is critical to the mission of the department and VHA as delegated by the Laboratory Manager and/or Laboratory Director. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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.). (TRANSCRIPT 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, 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, (TRANSCRIPT 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, 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, (TRANSCRIPT 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. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED ) 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-11 Lead Medical Technologist Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, Education: Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field. Must be able to demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): a. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. b. Knowledge of regulatory, licensing and accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations in order to plan, implement or monitor laboratory programs and services. c. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. d. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation. e. Ability to provide technical oversight in order to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, May 12, 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

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.

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 Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]