The Medical Technologist (Laboratory Manager) position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Service at the Lexington VA Medical Center.

Duties

The incumbent serves as Laboratory Manager Supervisory Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) VA Medical Center Lexington, KY. Manages the operations of the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Divisions for VA Lexington KY P&LMS Serves as an adviser and consultant to local, VISN, and national program officials and executive leaders. Provides immediate supervision for section supervisors of Blood Bank, Chemistry/Hematology, Special Reference Laboratory/Microbiology, Anatomic Pathology, Outpatient Laboratory Specimen Collection, and three program managers: Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, and Ancillary Testing Coordinator. Develops functional statements, position descriptions, and performance standards, and conducts performance appraisals. Serves as the approving official of performance plans and/or annual performance appraisals for the personnel described in 2 and 3 Provides secondary supervision for all P&LMS non-physician personnel Plans programs and assignments for P&LMS work sections. Renders decisions on work problems presented by P&LMS supervisors and program managers. Assigns, schedules, and prioritizes work for subordinates, based on difficulty and program requirements. Gives advice, counsel, and instruction on both work and administrative matters. Advises the Chief, P&LMS on problems in both P&LMS divisions and their impact on other medical center services. Manages recruiting to fill vacant staff positions in P&LMS. Serves as selecting official for vacant non-supervisory technologist, technician, and administrative support positions. Assures that all new personnel receive P&LMS orientation. Makes recommendations for selection, promotion, or reassignment of supervisory personnel. Counsels and resolves complaints from employees not resolved at the work section level. Reviews disciplinary cases of non-supervisory and supervisory P&LMS personnel. Recommends action as appropriate. Participates in the resolution of Union and EEO complaints within P&LMS. Identifies training needs of employees by consulting with section supervisors. Recommends training/continuing education and assures that all personnel receive required training. Participates in service meetings to encourage unit communication and coordination. Assists the Chief, P&LMS and supervisory and program manager personnel in designing, developing and establishing quality assurance programs and measures, including training in the maintenance, calibration, standardization, and use of laboratory equipment; participation in proficiency testing programs; and standardization of procedures for managing equipment and supplies. Acts as a consultant to the Chief, P&LMS, regarding implementation of programs and policies. Prepares and forwards associated funding and staffing proposals. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 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. Experience and Education: (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. Certification: Candidates must have: (1) 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). Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position being filled, AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate MUST demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge of concepts, principles and methodologies of a major clinical laboratory program and operations in order to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations, personnel, and management. Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, VISN level staff and/or VHA Central Office. Ability to plan and execute short- and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning. Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management) in accordance with VHA regulations. Ability to provide advisory, planning and surveillance services to clinicians, laboratory directors and supervisors on specific functions, programs or problems that are particularly difficult, widespread or persistent. Ability to solve complex problems involving unique or controversial aspects of medical technology or laboratory management, new or unconventional methods, program changes or conflicts between scientific/technological requirements, regulatory or program requirements (e.g., cost effectiveness). Knowledge of, and ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Preferred Experience: BS degree or higher in medical laboratory science; ASCP certified; at least 10 years clinical experience in laboratory procedures, 3-5 years supervisor experience. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: Incumbent must meet physical standards for the position. The work is normally completed in an indoor office setting. Incumbent is required to stand, bend, stoop, lift, and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions.

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Crystal Conley
• Phone: 901-288-8689
• Email: [email protected]