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. Program 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

Generalist Medical Technologist Duties: Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques. Performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Prepares reagents, maintains equipment, and verifies correct instrument operation. Maintains Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates and integrates information and performs additional testing to confirm abnormal results. Accurately and timely completes testing to provide relevant clinical information to physicians crucial to patient care. Performs various duties concerned with test performance, identification and correction of errors, evaluation/interpretation of test results, correlation of data and validation/verification of results. Collects venous blood samples from patients adhering to all safety and patientcare requirements. Judges the acceptability of samples submitted for testing using a broad body of knowledge of pre-analytic sample requirements. Processes specimens and selects Rocky Mountain Network Human Resources Title 38/Hybrid Title 38 Functional Statement appropriate procedures based on knowledge of type of specimens, patient information, and resources available in the laboratory. Demonstrates a working mastery of VA Laboratory computer software package as job assignments require, functions of the Electronic Health Record system, Microsoft Office, and e-mail functions. Attentively accessions and labels samples, records data accurately in logs and worksheets with extreme attention to ID verification and accurate manual recording. Recognizes all critical value results and for the effective and immediate communication of those results to the patient's provider following all required steps and documentation. Responsible for mastering the preventive maintenance requirements for multiple instruments and testing systems. Responsible for resolving procedural, reagent, and equipment problems according to written procedures, verbal instructions, and previous experience. Practices thorough understanding and adherence to all safety requirements as per regulatory laws such as used in phlebotomy, proper handling of blood and body fluids, hazardous medical waste, safe chemical handling practices, etc. Provides effective and professional training to new staff members on theoretical and practical aspects of procedures in use providing demonstration of laboratory practices. Maintains a professional currency through formal education and professional training and networking. Ensures the adequacy of the scientific knowledge applied in the performance of required tests. Annually attends/completes the required hours of mandatory training required by Sheridan VAHCS. Microbiology/Molecular Section Leader Duties >25% of hours spent in these duties: In addition to the Generalist Technologist duties described above, this Technologist is the Microbiology/Molecular Section Leader, duties that include the following: Monitors the Microbiology/Molecular section quality control systems. Ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data, discrepancies and troubleshooting instrument performance and/or QC material performance. Proposes solutions to remedy any deficiency discovered by QC tracking or proficiency testing results. Responsible for the creation/updating of procedure manuals in the Microbiology/Molecular department assuring continuous review of changing accreditation standards. Participates in on site TJC inspection. Attends on-site and off-site instrument training schools (completing the expert level course, if offered). Works with vendor staff on method validation, normal range determinations and crossover studies. Evaluates data and documentation for TJC requirement adequacy. Acts as member of any formal evaluation team required by VISN. Assist to provide detailed description of and justification for the requirements of any system that can acceptably meet the needs of Sheridan VAMC patients and clinicians. Participates in scoring of vendor's offers and feedback to VISN contracting staff. Completes all inventory duties and supply ordering to assure continued availability. Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM rotating weekends and call. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55797-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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 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 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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT; OR 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: GS-10 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: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.

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 Sheridan VA Medical Center 1898 Fort Road Sheridan, WY 82801 US
• Name: Maria Romero
• Phone: 970-263-5098
• Email: [email protected]