The incumbent shares, with the Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of a large complex laboratory service operations including Molecular Diagnostics, Complex Transfusion These operations are in a complexity index group 1 laboratory or in a complexity index group 2 laboratory that performs at least 1 million Standard Billable Tests annually (reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program).

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent provides first line supervision to five section supervisors (Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation, Microbiology, UncommonTours) as well as five support specialists (Two LIMS, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Two Ancillary Testing Coordinators ). Provides second line supervision of the medical technologists and medical technicians assigned to the clinical sections of PALMS. The incumbent also provides first line supervision to Anatomic Pathology supervisor and office operation of PALMS.. Assists the QA Coordinator in designing, developing and establishing quality assurance programs and measures, including training in the care, calibration, standardization and use of laboratory equipment; participation in proficiency testing programs; and standardization of procedures for managing supplies and equipment. Coordinates service preparation for external reviews which include JCAHO, IG, CAP, FDA, etc., which includes completing survey questionnaires, updating and revising appropriate policies, and assuring that departmental records are accurate and maintained appropriately. Coordinates activities of the service with the respective departments of the affiliated medical school, the current reference laboratories, and other VA hospital laboratories. Prepares contract requests, fee basis testing, and prepares sharing agreements in which the service participates. Coordinates prompt resolution of any problems of an administrative nature with other services in the medical center, neighboring universities or hospitals, etc. Keeps abreast of new technology in instrumentation and justifies expenditures for purchase of major pieces of equipment which can reduce the overall operating costs. Considers cost effectiveness, desirability and space in selection of major equipment. Manages financial resources of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service which includes personnel. Maintains control point activity for all PALMS Point Control Funds from the initiation of supply requests to maintaining the control point budgets. Serves as the approving authority for credit card purchases of the laboratory. Manages significant resources including equipment, supplies, personnel, space, and budget; analyzes budget expenditures; identifies workload trends; prepares and monitors budget and control expenditures; approves expenditures on all recurring and non-recurring items; determines staffing needs and projections; and prepares funding and staffing requests to the appropriate committees. Prepares the annual management report for the service with input from the Chief of PALMS. The report summarizes pertinent aspects of service activities and is consistent with report guidelines established by top management. The incumbent carries out the following supervisory responsibilities: Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets priorities and schedules for work completion. Control of work is accomplished by the use of other supervisory personnel, such as Chemistry, Hematology, etc. Renders decisions on work problems as presented by supervisory personnel. Assigns and prioritizes work to subordinates, based on difficulty and requirements of assignments. Assures that the lab operations are covered in all shifts. Develops position descriptions, functional statements and performance standards for the above personnel, and conducts the annual performance rating of the supervisors. Serves as the approving official of performance plans and/or annual performance appraisals for the above personnel. Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to supervisory personnel and other individuals on both work and administrative matters. Advises the Chief of PALMS on problems of the units supervised that affect other services and the impact it may have on them. Interviews candidates for positions in PALMS and selects for appointment. Assures that all new personnel receive both the hospital and laboratory orientation. Makes recommendations for selection, promotion, and reassignment of supervisory personnel. Reviews any serious disciplinary cases of employees and disciplinary problems involving supervisory personnel. Recommends action on the more serious cases. Participates in the resolution of Union and EEO complaints within Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. Recommends improvements in the overall efficiency and functioning of PALMS and identifies ways to improve service delivery. Acts as a consultant to the Chief, PALMS and staff pathologists regarding the effects of management decisions and their implications. Work Schedule:Full time, Monday- Friday; 08:00am- 04:30pm; Rotating weekends and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS#921640 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: 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. 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 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 (e. g., an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry). Grade Determinations: Medical Technologist GS-13( Laboratory Manager): (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-12), which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) Assignment. Laboratory Manager. The incumbent shares with the chief of laboratory service/medical director full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of laboratory service operations in a complexity index group 1 laboratory or in a complexity index group 2 laboratory that performs at least 1 million Standard Billable Tests annually (reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program). The incumbent supervises a large staff of nonsupervisory and supervisory personnel including at least one GS-12 subordinate. Provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine, including research, agency policies, new techniques and procedures. Develops guidelines, assesses laboratory effectiveness, establishes and maintains quality assurance and quality management programs. Consults with or serves as a consultant for local, network and national programs and/or officials. Manages regulatory affairs and compliance. Develops and manages program budget and resource utilization, inventory, acquisition and contracting processes. Assists and participates in educational programs affiliated with institutions providing training for individuals in laboratory or other related medical fields of study. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Advanced knowledge of concepts, principles and methodologies of a major clinical laboratory program and operations in order to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations, personnel, and management. b. Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, VISN level staff and/or VHA Central Office. c. Ability to plan and execute short- and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning. d. Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management) in accordance with VHA regulations. e. Ability to provide advisory, planning and surveillance services to clinicians, laboratory directors and supervisors on specific functions, programs or problems that are particularly difficult, widespread or persistent. f. Ability to solve complex problems involving unique or controversial aspects of medical technology or laboratory management, new or unconventional methods, program changes or conflicts between scientific/technological requirements, regulatory or program requirements (e.g., cost effectiveness). g. Knowledge of, and ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Preferred Experience: 2-5 years of Laboratory Management experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 MAY 12, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G24. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs); As needed - Straight pulling, pushing, walking, standing, repeated bending, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see and distinguish depth perception, basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). In addition, the ability to deal with constant noise, work around machinery with moving parts, work closely with others or alone and work protracted or irregular hours.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application. A screenshot of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not an acceptable substitute for your transcript and will not be used in qualifying.

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 John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Blandine King
• Phone: 313-204-6578
• Email: [email protected]