This position is designated as a Lead Medical Technologist in the Chemistry Department, in the Clinical Pathology section of the Birmingham VA Healthcare System, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). The primary purpose of this position is to assist and provide support to the Chemistry Supervisor and will maintain and monitor the operation, accreditation, and safety of the Clinical Pathology Section of P&LMS.

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES: Assists in developing technical bulletins procedures, training materials and other program materials, ensuring accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, result reporting and proficiency testing including reports, monitors and continuous performance improvement initiatives. Evaluates 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 Chemistry Department. Works with the Chemistry Supervisor to perform and evaluate instruments, perform validation studies, and recommend policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program. Performs maintenance, calibrations, linearities, quality control; and troubleshoots procedures and equipment. Utilizes knowledge of laboratory mathematics, statistics, etc. to establish quality control ranges, reference ranges, troubleshoot procedures and equipment, calculate, and correlate test results, and establish and implement new procedures. Monitors inventory to ensure that reagents and supplies are available. Analyzes, and compares Chemistry instrumentation and methods to ensure accuracy, precision, and specificity of testing. Assists the Chemistry Supervisor in ordering proficiency testing material enough for the extent and complexity of the program. Distributes the survey samples to appropriate. Ensures that the testing results are submitted to CAP for evaluation timely. Reviews evaluations and ensures appropriate corrective actions when necessary. Assists the Chemistry Supervisor with chemical inventory for Chemistry Department. Develops and maintains any necessary safety in-service training programs. Remains current and can work all defined positions in Chemistry Department to carry out day to day operations which include but are not limited to, routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54883F 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: Medical technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education and/or Experience Combination: In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess: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: All candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as an MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, and 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-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. Assignments. These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties. For all assignments above the full performance level, the 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. Lead Medical Technologist. Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with management. Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation and compliance. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. 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. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation. 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; Medical Technologist Qualification Standard; GS-644 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring sitting, standing, walking, reaching and bending. Occasionally lifts heavy containers of supplies and equipment.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Danny Jones
• Phone: 303-914-5499 X3711
• Email: [email protected]