Open to Current Permanent Employees of San Juan Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Employees Only. VA Caribbean Healthcare System is looking for a Lead Medical Technologist. The Lead Medical Technologist facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty.

Duties

The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, flow cytometry, genetics, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and virology. Responsible for all aspect of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation and compliance. Lead Medical Technologist at the GS-11 carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the GS-10, but has higher levels of professional responsibilities and expertise in the Chemistry area. These assignments require training, experience and have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. He/she also works off-hour shifts in the Clinical Laboratory (Hematology, Coagulation, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Blood Bank and Receiving) during weekends and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. Additional duties include but not limited to: Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Ensures that the laboratory test and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements. Recognize methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results. Performs validation/ method verification studies for new systems. Performs quality control review. Performs data gathering for quality assurance purposes. Performs inventory control. Provides professional and technical advice to technicians, technologists, and others. Provides new employee or student training. Assist supervisor with employee's competency assessment. Ensure compliance with local and national policies and procedures, and federal agency regulations. Recommend local procedural and policy changes as appropriate. Report and resolve clinical, business operational, technical issues through approved channels. Assess and monitor clinical workflow and outcomes pre- and post-implementation. Establish baseline measures (data collection, analysis, reporting) through standardized methodologies pre- and post- implementation. Submit reports as requested by the Supervisor. For instance, the Quality Monitors. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements affecting pre-analytical variables in laboratory testing. Performs and calculates results for a variety of tests such as Creatinine Clearance, Sperm Analysis, Free PSA Ratio, Therapeutic Drugs, Tumor Markers, Cardiac Markers, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Body fluids, Spinal fluids, Blood gasses, Drugs of abuse, urines and routine chemistry. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Identifies discrepancies, conducts literature search if indicated, solves problems, and presents solutions. 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. Work Schedule: Rotating work shifts from Sunday to Saturday from 8am-4:30pm; 7am-3:30pm; 7:30am-4pm. Must be flexible to assists and rotates on all tour of duties during emergency situations and/or service needs. Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Microbiology Lead Medical Technologist 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: 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 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. 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. 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. 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 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. Lead Medical Technologist. Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with management. Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation and compliance. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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, Part II, Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The incumbent may be required to stand, bend, stoop, lift and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift moderately 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 (Reference 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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Manuel Colon
• Phone: 321-370-3040
• Email: [email protected]