This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Medical Technologist- Advanced Staff Technologist serves a s Generalist Medical Technologist in the MT VA Healthcare System. The Medical Technologist is responsible for coverage of the clinical disciplines of Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Blood Gases, Coagulation, Blood Bank and HgbAlc and also limited duties in the Microbiology Laboratory. The Medical Technologist will spend 25% of the time coordinating the laboratory proficiency/survey testing programs. Works with the Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Pathologist, and Technical Specialist to ensure proper and timely proficiency testing and reporting. Duties Include: Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques. Duties require competency in at least three of the areas of Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Blood Gases and HgbA1c tests. Testing duties in all disciplines require the technologist to perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. In all areas, technologist prepares reagents, assembles equipment and verifies correct instrument operation. Maintains validity of assay system by appropriate testing of reagents prior to use for patient testing. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates and integrates information and performs additional testing to confirm abnormal results. The work involves accurate and timely completion of testing to provide relevant clinical information to physicians crucial to patient care. The work involves various duties concerned with test performance, identification and correction of errors, evaluation/interpretation of test results, correlation of data and validation/verification of results. Considers such factors as the complex network of steps and variables and discrimination required by some tests; conditions which produce erroneous results, specimen properties, physical conditions and time factors critical to the test; instrument malfunction and test procedure variations; and physiologic conditions that affect test results. Skillfully collects venous and arterial blood samples from patients adhering to all safety and patient care requirements. Incumbent judges the acceptability of samples submitted for testing using a broad body of knowledge of pre-analytic sample requirements. Processes specimens and selects appropriate procedures based on knowledge of type of specimens, patient information and resources available in the laboratory. Controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to insure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained. Shows mastery of the VA Laboratory computer software package (VISTA) as job assignments require. Demonstrates a working mastery of the functions of the CPRS system and Microsoft Internet, Word and E-mail functions. Accessions and labels samples and subsamples, records data accurately in logs and worksheets with extreme attention to ID verification and accurate manual recording. Responsible for recognition of all critical value results and for the effective and immediate communication of those results to the patient's provider following all required steps and documentation. Responsible for mastering the preventive maintenance requirements for a large number of instruments and testing systems. Tech performs these duties as assigned by printed schedule. Responsible for resolving procedural, reagent and equipment problems according to written procedures, verbal instructions and previous experience. Technologist's practices require thorough understanding and adherence to all safety requirements as per regulatory laws such as used in phlebotomy, proper handling of blood and body fluids, hazardous medical waste, safe chemical handling practices, etc. Ability to serve the needs of other VA Montana Healthcare staff seeking advice on the proper ordering of tests, technical information about tests offered and interpretation of test results. Provides effective and professional training to new staff members on theoretical and practical aspects of procedures in use providing demonstration of laboratory practices. Consults with newer staff regarding abnormal or unusual results and advises on course of action. Technologist maintains a professional currency through formal education and professional training and networking. Insures the adequacy of the scientific knowledge applied in the performance of required tests. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Evenings, Rotating weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52123-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Education and/or Experience Combination: 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, 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, 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. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT English Language Proficiency: Medical technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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-10Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. 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. Assignments: 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. Preferred Experience: This is an open continuous announcement and applicants will be reviewed every two weeks. References: VA Handbook VA 5005, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Mary Pierce
• Phone: 406-447-7559
• Email: [email protected]