The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Medical Technologist - Advanced Staff Technologist. The Advanced Staff Technologist will function in the Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine Department within Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service.

Duties

Pre-analytical evaluation of samples: Determine the suitability of samples for the appropriate testing in accordance with AABB guidelines. Check sample integrity and suitability. Check and properly document for hemolysis, icteric, or lipemic samples when applicable, determine if the sample is QNS, and determine if the sample meets the time, temperature, or other requirements for testing. Check for proper labeling requirements on the original sample and on sample aliquots or dilutions made from the original sample. Follow proper procedures for processing/logging in samples into the appropriate laboratory computer system. Distribute samples to the appropriate area for testing. Follow proper procedures for preparing samples, where appropriate, that are sent outside for testing. Testing of samples: Responsible for specialized and complex laboratory tasks beyond providing patient test results. Routinely evaluate, modify, implement, and monitor the application of new procedures and protocols. Make suggestions for revising, developing and adapting new technology. Conduct the following: initiate parallel testing, evaluate data, implement new reagent usage and perform validation for new testing of systems. Provide consultation services to health care providers. Maintain an adequate supply inventory necessary for performance of duties in their assigned unit. Ensure that all reagents are stored properly. Ensure that proper reagents are used for the appropriate testing and will properly label all reagents, controls and calibrators. Maintain, operate, troubleshoot and repair analytical instruments used for testing, including basic interface issues. Know calibrations and standards, the Analytical Measured Range (AMR), and the Clinically Reportable Range (CRR). Select and prepare all reagents/materials for testing. Perform testing using standard operating procedures and complete the testing within an established time frame. Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve a specialty area. Directs and/or conducts corrective action when needed. Maintains all Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service QA and QC documentation. Interpret results before they are reported and correlate them with the patient's condition. Evaluate results for compliance and acceptability within established ranges. Make dilutions on samples that are beyond the range. Recognize abnormal and critical results. Know sample storage requirements, such as storage temperatures and storage times. Know procedures for proper disposal of samples and reagents. Maintain and keep clear and legible records. Complete documents for testing/results and know storage requirements for documents. Follow HIPPA regulations and guidelines for maintaining all patient protested information. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91541-0 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. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience Combination: The Advanced Staff Technologist (Medical Technologist) must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) 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, (b) 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, (c) 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 (b) or (c) above. Applicant must provide one of the following as supporting documentation: (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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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). Basic Requirements: Grade Determinations: GS-10: Must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience which equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully the duties of the which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying experience include: carrying out day-to-day operations in the laboratory to include routine testing on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting; and developing, performing, evaluating, interpreting, correlating and validating the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results and ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. *This position is above the full performance level. References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 May 12, 2014 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagents packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity.

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 VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Joanna Froemsdorf
• Phone: 479-236-1904
• Email: [email protected]