Medical Technologists at this level perform more complex laboratory functions, including a broad range of laboratory procedures, testing & tasks of the medical laboratory technologist /clinical laboratory scientist occupation.

Duties

MTs at this level perform more complex laboratory functions in Hematology/Blood Bank. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as analyzer specialist or quality control file maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: maintaining employee competency records, supply functions, laboratory safety, quality control review, 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. Evaluates quality control protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results to include daily, weekly and monthly review. Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems or is responsible for the implementation and oversight of a test system. Performs linearity and patient comparison studies for new and continuing systems or is responsible for the implementation and oversight of a test systems. Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Develops protocols for reviewing daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance. Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements. Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results. Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient. Provides advisory services to technicians, technologists, and other specialists relative to higher knowledge acquired through continuing education and work experience. Performs all of the elements for quality improvement assessment such as data collection and evaluation, graphical and verbal presentation, and recommendation for action/solution. Performs competency assessments and completes annual training needs as part of continuing education (includes Mandatory Annual Requirements) for a specified number of hours. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30a.m. - 4:00p.m. Rotating weekends & Holidays Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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 (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 (1) 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. c. 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. Must submit either of the following: (1) A letter from a college/university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the 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. d. 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 certification can only perform duties in chemistry). GRADE REQUIREMENTS (GS-10) (a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience as a Medical Technologist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist which would be equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) 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 generally 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers (both hands) required, walking 2 hours, standing 6 hours, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, emotional/mental stability. Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously, hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: Outside & inside; fumes, smoke, gases; solvents, grease & oils; radiant energy; slippery and uneven walking services; working around machinery with moving parts and moving objects, vehicles; working with hands in water; working alone and closely with others; possible exposure to communicable diseases and bloodborne pathogens.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Brittaney Parks
• Phone: 361-277-5288
• Email: [email protected]