The incumbent will function as a Program Support Assistant to the Medical Director and Laboratory Manager in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Section within Clinical Support Service.

Duties

Duties are but not limited to: The incumbent has the responsibility of submitting personnel actions on Pathology employees, residents, and without compensation (WOC) residents, as required by Veterans Administration policies. Serves as timekeeper; maintains leave records; prepares related reports; and acts on own initiative to resolve problems related to employee's payment, when appropriate. Timekeeping is done for VA employees, contract physicians and residents. Provides clerical and administrative support for all of the contract pathologists as well as residents. Responds to requests for information concerning laboratory functions. As information or requests from visitors or from written material is received, will personally prepare responses from available material and knowledge. In the absence of the medical director, requests for information, will be routed to the laboratory manager, pathologist or lead technologists, as appropriate. The incumbent is responsible for arranging conferences, i.e., location, scheduling, preparing an agenda and notifying members. The incumbent schedules meetings and takes minutes for the following committees: Infection Control Blood Usage Review Surgical Case Review Pathology Supervisor Meetings The minutes often require a wide range of technical and medical terminology. The incumbent is also responsible for any other meetings as designated by the Chief of Staff or Hospital Director. The incumbent will receive incoming mail for the section. It is screened and distributed to the appropriate section for their information or response, whichever is necessary. The incumbent will use own initiative in answering some correspondence. In the absence of the medical director, prepares correspondence, assuring that material contained within complies with our section, product line, the Veterans' Hospital and University Hospital and Clinical guidelines. A suspense file will be established to ensure timely response or action. The incumbent will receive incoming telephone calls for the administrative offices and morgue, giving requested information using sound judgment and knowledge of laboratory policy. In matters pertaining to technical questions, notes will be taken and given to the appropriate section lead technologist, laboratory manager, or pathologist for call-back information. The incumbent is authorized to give out administrative and clinical information to callers upon determination of their right to receive it. The incumbent is also responsible to the laboratory manager, residents and staff physicians for such matters as scheduling meetings, arranging for meeting places, equipment, and providing them with related background materials. Schedules appointments and meetings for the medical director, as appropriate, based upon his workload and current issues of importance. The medical director will be briefed of each meeting and provided with any back-up related materials before scheduled meetings. In matters of emergencies and the medical director is unable to attend meetings or keep appointments, appointments will be rescheduled or an appropriate alternate will be found. As the medical director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Section is a member of the senior staff and several joint committees at the University Hospital and Clinics, and Veterans' Hospital, conferences and meetings for both institutions have to be scheduled. Prepares written correspondence, documents, and reports pertaining to the administrative and clinical functions/requirements of the section in final format, ensuring proper procedures have been followed, utilizing the hospital's VISTA computer system (word processing and patient data input and retrieval). Sensitive data must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and follow rules and regulations pertaining to same. Incumbent has signature authority for receipt of supplies and payroll clearance. Performs clerical checks for patient tests performed at the VA lab and at referral labs. Responsible for providing program support assistance to other sections in need within Clinical Support Service, with the duties in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Section maintaining a priority status. Assists the lab manager and supervisors with invoice verification. Uses VistA, CPRS and laboratory sources to check invoice accuracy for referral testing and blood contacts. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of 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 telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Asst (OA)/PD008290 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/30/2023. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to prepare and distribute correspondence, maintain databases, timekeeping, utilize automated software and address customer needs in person, phone or written correspondence and arranging conferences, i.e., location scheduling, preparing an agenda and notifying members. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years above high school. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. In addition to meeting experience or education requirements, applicants must self-certify the ability to type 40 words per minute. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementClericalComputer Skills 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting while typing at a CRT terminal, which can be quite demanding causing eye strain, strain on the back, neck and shoulders. There is also some walking and standing required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital 800 Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65201 US
• Name: Takhia Crawford
• Phone: 909-372-5409
• Email: [email protected]