The Fayetteville, NC Coastal VA Health Care System has an immediate opening for a Lead Medical Technologist to work within the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Fayetteville, NC.

Duties

Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) Lead Tech: 80 Percent These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. A. Acts as the technical lead for quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation for ancillary testing on a hospital-wide basis and oversees the safe and accurate testing of outreach patients in the clinics. B. Maintains a documentation plan for all assigned ancillary testing sites as part of a CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) program. C. Coordinates with the Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) Supervisor to identify the type and location of all ancillary testing sites including bedside testing sites and their designated directors within the medical center. D. Coordinates with the ATC Supervisor to track and monitor the number and types of ancillary testing analyzers and methods that are used in the ancillary laboratories, testing sites and all points of care. Updates the list each time new methods and/or instruments are added or deleted. E. Consults with the ATC Supervisor for guidance in maintaining the assigned Ancillary Testing system. F. Develops technical bulletins, standard operating procedures, training materials and other program materials, ensuring accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, result reporting and proficiency testing. G. Coordinates proficiency testing with testing personnel at ancillary and POC testing locations, ensures timely result submission in accordance with accreditation requirements, reviews results for statistical significance, initiates corrective actions and/or retraining when applicable and informs management of any deficiency that impacts testing capabilities. H. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines identifying, defining and resolving issues associated with complex aspects of the data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program. Performs audits and site visits of all assigned ancillary testing locations on a defined schedule. I. Assesses data needed, designs data collection procedures, identifies quality assurance monitors and indicators, and reviews all data analyzed with the ATC Supervisor. J. Performs semi-annual correlations as required on applicable test systems within the scope of ancillary testing. K. Evaluates and validates new ancillary and POC methodologies and instruments in accordance with accreditation guidelines, submits statistically evaluated validation packets with recommendations for implementation to the ATC Supervisor and management for approval prior to placing them in use for patient testing. L. Performs statistical analysis (variations, standard deviation, trend analysis) on quality control, semi-annual correlation, new instrument validations and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action. M. Serves as a member of the Ancillary Testing Committee. Implements and monitors protocols established in M-2, part VI, chapter 10, "Ancillary Testing", for quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, linearity, instrument maintenance, and user competency for all testing. N. Performs training and competency assessment for ancillary testing and phlebotomy personnel. Maintains training schedules, assessment records for personnel in their assigned ancillary testing locations. O. Assures compliance with the following patient test management requirements: a) detailed written or electronic test requisitions; b) a recording system for specimens submitted that documents each step in processing and testing patient specimens; c) adequate systems to report test results in a timely, accurate, and reliable manner; and d) adequate systems governing the maintenance, timing, and storage of test reports. P. Assures that all ancillary testing performed in the Medial Center is in full compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and VHA Handbook 1106.1, requirements for safety and quality assurance. Other Duties as Assigned: 20 Percent The incumbent analyzes problems that are unique to the VA System with its broad program missions, complex administrative management problems, rapid fluctuation in various program priorities and requirements and available resources. He/she must have extensive knowledge of the various programs within the VA System locally and nationwide to make evaluations and recommendations so as not to adversely affect patient care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Hours 10:00a - 6:30p *occasional weekends and holidays Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: MT's must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education/Experience: You must meet the following education and/or experience requirement to qualify for this position:(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). 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: Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice. For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled. (3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a MT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. (4) Graduate Education. Graduate education and graduate degrees may be substituted as specified at each grade level. Education must have been from an accredited college or university in a field related to MT (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology, biological science, physiology, allied health education, health systems administration, infection control and preventive medicine), which was accredited at the time the candidate completed the program. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. GS-11 Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. b. Knowledge of regulatory, licensing and accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations in order to plan, implement or monitor laboratory programs and services. c. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. d. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation. e. Ability to provide technical oversight in order to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, sitting, transporting samples between work areas, stretching, reaching, bending and lifting of reagents/supplies for instruments. Moderate risks of discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurrent possible exposure to hazards such as infectious, chemical and/or environmental agents. Safety guidelines on safe equipment operation must be adhered to. There is possibility of constant stress and mental pressure to complete all testing in an accurate and timely manner for quality patient care.

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 Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Elizabeth Johnson
• Phone: 828-298-7911 X5322
• Email: [email protected]