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 at this level develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as Bacteriology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Coagulation, Hematology, Immunology, Immunohematology (Blood Banking), Mycology, Parasitology, Serology, Urinalysis, and Virology. The position functions 51% as a Medical Technologist and 49% of duties are Administrative. The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Medical Technologist Functions (51% of Duties): Evaluates the suitability of specimen for analysis and requests new specimen if it's determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen for analysis while ensuring the physiologic state is maintained. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine, non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual techniques and/or instruments in accordance with established protocol. Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment; uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, performs limited minor repairs and perform preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. Prepares reagents and primary reference materials, assembles equipment, verifies correct instrument operation; standardizes, performs, and calculates results of a variety of complex tests. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine, non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual techniques and/or instruments in accordance with established protocol. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintain instruments by examining the function, rechecking conditions of test performance and evaluating reaction systems and/or procedural techniques. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures; correlates quantitative data with patient to verify results. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for editing and verifying results recorded into the computer system. Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of the clinical laboratory. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors that influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Administrative Functions (49% of duties) Evaluates and verifies invoices from contracted vendors and or other VA Laboratories for testing and billing accuracy before submission of payment in order. Submits payments for these services in a timely manner. Evaluates and creates invoices for testing performed by Portland VA Health System Laboratory on behalf of other VA Laboratories requesting our services. Serves as a back up Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Fund Control Clerk for P&LMS and Proficient Certifier in the Invoice Payment and Processing System (IPPS) Responsible for creating procurement packages for potential vendors that contain accurate information regarding our specific needs to acquire services and goods for the Laboratory. Serves as a back up purchase card user for services and supplies to support P&LMS. Responsible for contacting vendors to determine the best value for needed supplies or services, entering purchase card requests, completing reconciliations according to VHA and local policy and procedures. Work Schedule: M-F Dayshift hours, with rotating weekends and holidays. Tour is flexible and will be determined upon hire. On-call required in support of our Liver Transplant Program with 4 call shifts required per month. Rotating coverage for Holidays may be required. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] , the EDRP Coordinators 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 (2) 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 (5) 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; OR (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: 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. 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: MTs at this level 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, 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: MT's 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 preventative maintenance and training of technicians/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 an 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: Knowledge and proficiency in the following sections of clinical: hematology, blood bank, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology: bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, molecular biology, and serology. Contracting experience is desired. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Thierry King
• Phone: 281-794-9371
• Email: [email protected]