This position is located within the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory (HLA) section of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Iowa City Veteran's Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) in Iowa City, Iowa. This incumbent is the CLIA director of the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory.

Duties

Duties Include: Plans, conducts, and oversees development of new methods for identifying and measuring engraftment and rejection utilizing histocompatibility and immunogenetics methods; including but not limited to molecular testing, genetic testing, and compatibility testing. Works to develop new methods in histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratory testing. Negotiates for potentially controversial innovations and/or changes to equipment, approaches, methodologies, etc. Examines patient results and interprets the scientific data from testing. Ensures quality results for patient care in the transplantation program. Provides transplantation at the Iowa City VAHCS and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Researches, validates, establishes and performs testing appropriate for analysis while maintaining quality control/quality assurance as required by laboratory accrediting agencies. Delivers subject matter consultation to ICVAHCS leadership and staff. Provides technical assistance and training regarding laboratory methodology, instrumentation, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assigned program areas. Develops and ensures compliance with the standards of the regulatory bodies to include but not limited to ASHI & The Joint Commission. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Telework: VA supports the use of ad-hoc telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Chemist/505320 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This is not a bargaining unit position. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Selective Placement Factor: Applicants must possess board certification by ASHI. NOTE: Certification must be submitted at time of application in order to provide credit. Basic Requirement: Applicants must possess: A degree in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics (Transcript Required) OR, A combination of education and experience with course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. (Transcript Required) Laboratory Director Qualification Standard: You must be qualified to manage and direct laboratory personnel and performance of high complexity tests and must be eligible to be an operator of a laboratory within the requirements of 42 CFR subpart R. In addition to the above standards, applicants must possess one of the following: Be a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy licensed to practice medicine or Osteopathy in the state of Iowa and be certified in anatomic or clinical pathology, or both, by the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology or possess qualifications that are equivalent to those required for such certification Be a Doctor of Medicine, a Doctor of Osteopathy, or a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine licensed to practice medicine, Osteopathy or Podiatry in the State of Iowa and have at least one year of laboratory training during medical residency or have at least 2 years of experience directing or supervising high complexity testing Hold an earned doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science from an accredited institution and be certified and continue to be certified by a board approved by the Department of Health and Human Services; or before February 24, 2003, must have served or be serving as a director of a laboratory performing high complexity testing and must have at least two years of laboratory training or experience, or both; and two years of laboratory experience directing or supervising high complexity testing. Be serving as a laboratory director and must have previously qualified or could have qualified as a laboratory director under regulations at 42 CFR 493.1415, published March 14, 1990 at 55 FR 9538, on or before February 28, 1992 On or before February 28, 1992, be qualified under State law to direct a laboratory in the State of Iowa. In addition to the above requirements, applicants must possess the specialized experience to qualify for the GS-13 Chemist position. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Chemist position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performing complex histocompatibility testing; developing and modifying methods for the analysis of human blood, bone marrow, and other body fluids; managing and overseeing the work carried out in a histocompatibility and immunogenetics area of a laboratory; evaluating and implementing the latest developments in the area of histocompatibility and immunogenetic/molecular techniques, applications, and instrumentation in order to incorporate these into the daily operation a laboratory. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Education

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.

Contacts

• Address Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Michael Kelly
• Phone: 612-467-3398
• Email: [email protected]