Medical Technologists at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities on the evening or night shift or projects such as analyzer specialist, or quality control or maintenance specialist. Incumbent will perform GS-10 level duties at least 25% of the time and procedures in the areas of (Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology (blood bank), and limited/or Comprehensive Microbiology.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Serves as advanced maintenance operator on the chemistry analyzers. Performs daily preventative maintenance on analyzers as well as a more intensive weekly, monthly and quarterly preventative maintenance. Ensures this is completed as scheduled and on time. Appropriately documents all actions associated with the maintenance of analyzers. Replaces chemistry analyzers ISE electrodes monthly and sample probes as needed for troubleshooting. Utilizes peer comparison chart for reagent performance verification and patient correlation between multiple instruments and ensures new lot values fall within the coefficient of variation on all chemistry reagents. Troubleshoots alarm errors on the chemistry analyzers by interpreting alarm codes and can determine cause and find a solution. Ensures procedures pertaining to the chemistry/heme analyzers are correct and recommends any updates. Assumes the responsibility to maintain operations including preventative maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of new test systems. Instruction techniques and practices are sufficient to provide technical orientation to new technologists and bench teaching of lower grade technicians and technologists. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Serves as point of contact and notifies the appropriate departments if there is to be a delay in testing. Assesses malfunction and notifies appropriate lab personnel such as Lab Information Manager or manufacturer service, if follow-up is needed. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Recognizes and responds to delta checks and abnormal analyte results that may indicate unsuitable specimen and performs additional testing, as needed, to verify results. Correlates lab results from hematology, chemistry, and coagulation to ensure results are accurate on questionable specimens. Such specimens include, but are not limited to, diluted and improper sharing of samples between different blood collection tubes. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products in hematology, chemistry, coagulation and immunohematology. Utilizes software to generate quality control results for the chemistry analyzers. Evaluates and interprets quality control by utilizing Levey-Jennings charts and applying Westgard Rules. Appropriately recognizes and addresses statistical process control rule violations associated with out of control tests. This would include troubleshooting and making judgement calls such as recognizing the need to calibrate and perform quality control on reagents. Addresses all out of control tests by performing suggested corrective actions and ensures there is an alternative testing method in place for a test that cannot be remediated. Documents out of control tests in quality control software and masks the specific test on the chemistry analyzers to prevent patient testing. Elevates and notifies unresolved quality control issues to the Chemistry Quality Control coordinator. Compares peer reviewed quality control with the chemistry/hematology analyzers' quality control values and determines acceptability. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains chemistry and hematology analyzers. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Elevates any major problems to a higher level such as manufacturer service. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. history, medications) to verify results. Responsible for assisting in maintaining the Chemistry maintenance and Quality Control for JCAHO (or CAP) inspection readiness and has knowledge of the contents of the JCAHO (or CAP) checklists for those categories. Monitors chemistry/ hematology department reagents and consumables inventory and notifies appropriate personnel when supplies are needed. Appropriately documents the use of reagents and consumables. Performs lot-to-lot verification, as needed. Ensures stock is rotated correctly. Participates in validation of new analyzers by performing linearities, analyzer comparisons, and precision/accuracy studies. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday- Friday; 03:30pm- 12:00am; Rotating Weekends and Holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS#91420-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: (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-10(Advanced Staff Technologist): (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. 2. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. 3. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. 4. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. (c) Assignments. MTs at this level generally have a higher level of professional oversight responsibilities and may have responsibility for a specific large-scale automated analytical instrument system; a specific area of laboratory functions, such as employee competency records, supply functions, laboratory safety, quality control review, new method development or employee or student training; or provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and technologists on alternate tours of duty. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Advanced Staff Technologist. MTs at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: serves as primary operator on new test systems, assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of the new test systems; assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed; oversight of the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist); provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees; recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments; coordinates the laboratory competency program; and coordinates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) laboratory proficiency/survey program. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10 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]