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. 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 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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or 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 (Quality Management Technologist) (a) 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 (b) 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. (Quality Management Technologist) Provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting. Maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Identifies, defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as the Joint Commission (JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a.) Advanced knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating and evaluating laboratory services. (b.) Knowledge of quality management standards. (c.) Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. (d.) Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. (e.) Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. (f.) Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 II-G24-1 [APPENDIX G24. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-644 Preferred Experience: BS degree or higher in medical laboratory science; ASCP certified; at least 3 years experience in clinical laboratory and 1 year experience in a Lead position. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements: Incumbent must meet physical standards for the position. The work is normally completed in an indoor office setting. Incumbent is required to stand, bend, stoop, lift, and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position. After appointment, incumbent will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use. For additional information, see VA Directive and Handbook 5019 http://vaww.va. gov/OHRMlDirectives-Handbooks/Documents/50 19.pdf. ["Duties include but are not limited to: Quality Management Duties/Tasks (50%) Ensures timely and thorough evaluation of pre-analytic and post-analytic data and ensures discrepancies are identified and acted upon. Obtains data and complies with the practices, procedures and techniques described in the QA/QI plan. Proposes solutions to remedy the deficiency or presents arguments for invalidating data or quality control methods. Ensures the QA/QI Plan is followed. Proposes new QA/QI practices as appropriate. Performs an annual appraisal of the effectiveness of the department's Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program. Measures physician, nursing, and patient satisfaction with laboratory services. Ensures that there is a system to positively identify all patient specimens, specimen types, and aliquots at all times. Ensures documentation of accreditation requirements of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Joint Commission. Ensures compliance with accreditation requirements of such agencies as TJC, CAP, and FDA. Maintains Activity Menu with College of American Pathologists (CAP). Ensures documentation of accreditation requirements of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Joint Commission are current. Maintain evidence manual for QA Manages recall system for Pathology & Laboratory Medicine service. Manages Proficiency Testing program. Keeps abreast of current research, clinical methods, and technical advances in the field. Works with Laboratory Manager and supervisors/coordinators to ensure that adequate education and training opportunities for laboratory staff are provided to all staff for maintenance of technical skills and competency. Ancillary Testing Duties/Tasks (50%) Assists in performing validation/method verification studies for new systems. Assists in training and evaluating the competency of a variety of individuals (physicians, residents, nurses, patients) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently. Assists in training for all persons who perform ancillary testing. For privileged providers, this may be accomplished through the privileging process. Assist in the oversee of results of all ancillary testing are entered into the hospital information system and maintains copies of quality management records for all Ancillary Testing Sites. Assist in the insurance of data transmission and calculation validation checks are performed within stated timeframes. Assist in the monitoring of test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance. Assist in the assure of corrective actions being initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications. Assists in the identification and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems. Assists in the oversight of specimen management (collection and transport) for the VA Drug Free Workplace Program and coordinates efforts with the hospital's Human Resources representative. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Valarie.McDowell@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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