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. 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 education: See information located in education section of announcement. Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2): (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 (GS-9), 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). Grandfathering Provision: All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Additional details outlined below. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, VA Handbook 5005. Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of experience include, but is not limited, to the following: Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. Advanced knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment. In addition to the experience, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting and regulatory requirements in order to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans and the ability to judge effectiveness of the operation. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff. Knowledge of, and ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to analyze organizational, technical and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient overall laboratory operation. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology etc. Preferred Experience: N/A References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-12 grade level. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas with the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. ["Includes, but not limited to: Responsible for the overall supervision of the Microbiology and Serology sections. This includes selection of staff, orientation and training of all employees and students working in the section, writing functional statements, development of performance standards, assessment of competency, evaluating work performance, recommending awards or advancement, counseling employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory, and initiating disciplinary actions when necessary. Hears and resolves complaints from employees. Responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the highly complex testing in Microbiology and Serology to include the additional subdisciplines of Bacteriology, Mycology, Molecular Microbiology, Mycobacteriology, and Parasitology. Prepares work schedules that include weekend and holiday coverage and tour of duty changes and assigns duties to subordinates to assure efficient and timely performance of all procedures. Responsible for granting of leave to subordinates in the assigned T&L group and communicates with other section supervisors and management as necessary to assure adequate lab coverage. Plans, implements, and coordinates a quality control/quality assurance program for the Microbiology department and assures compliance with quality control and proficiency testing programs, accrediting agencies, i.e., CAP and Joint Commission. Serves as the Service Chief's designee on the Infection Control Committee and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) Subcommittee. Serves as the Microbiology primary liaison with infectious disease staff, infection prevention staff, and pharmacy. Serves, as needed, as a consultant to local, network, and national program officials. Works collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, VHA Central Office, and or VISN level staff. Serves as laboratory representative on hospital Water Safety Committee as liaison for Legionella testing for clinical testing and culturing of patients and advising Legionella testing or hospital water when needed. Works with Pharmacy on antibiotic stewardship, guidance for resistant organisms, and information for testing new antibiotics. Prepares antibiograms for guidance in empiric treatment of infection. Responsible for the expedition of emergency and special requests and the quality, quantity, and accuracy of tests performed in the section. Develops operating procedures and updates procedures in the section in accordance with applicable accrediting and regulatory agencies. Keeps abreast of new technology in instrumentation and justifies expenditures for purchase of major pieces of equipment which can reduce the overall operating costs. Considers cost effectiveness, desirability and space in selection of major equipment. Develops functional statements and competencies for subordinate personnel and conducts the annual performance rating of subordinates. Serves as the approving official of performance plans and/or annual performance appraisals for personnel. Provide advisory, planning, and surveillance services to clinicians, laboratory directors, and supervisors on specific functions, programs, or problems that are particularly difficult, widespread, or persistent. Works with Infectious Disease Providers and Infection Prevention Team to ensure accurate testing is available when infectious outbreaks occur within the hospital, in the community and worldwide. Also work on program to identify patients appropriate to test and ways to contain the outbreak. Oversees the educational program in the areas of Microbiology and Serology to outside affiliates including CLS students, pathology residents, infectious disease fellows and medical students from various institutions. Member of the Emergency Management Committee for assistance with any emergency issues that occur within hospital, community or nationally. This includes planning for any issues that involve laboratory directly or indirectly. Must take FEMA classes to be prepared for emergencies, be involved planned and tabletop exercises and help prepare Emergency SOPs for lab and other areas where expertise is valuable such as Pandemic outbreaks and Mass Fatality Plan. Responsible for overseeing Serology section of the lab which is responsible for antibody testing for infectious diseases in patients, testing for employee immune status to infectious diseases and testing for M. tuberculosis exposure in employees and patients. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600, may work weekends and holidays as needed Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Ad-Hoc (occasional, one time, or irregular basis and is usually driven by the situation) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91891-0 Recruitment/Relocation: Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. EDRP Authorized: VISN10HREDRPSLRP@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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