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. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. Transcripts are required at the time of application. Certification: Candidates must have 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 (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry). Grandfathering Provision: 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 Lead Medical Technologist 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. b. 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. c. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. d. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation. e. Ability to provide technical oversight in order to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload. 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 of test performance. 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. Preferred Experience: 2 yrs Hematology experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-644 Veterans Health Administration Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The Lead Medical Technologist, Hematology ensures that all daily activities of the Hematology Laboratory are coordinated including technical instruction and training in techniques, instrumentation and organization of work, ensuring that policies and procedures are followed. Assists the supervisor in the selection, performance, evaluation and monitoring of test performance using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; assists to locate and implement corrections. The Lead Tech will perform Hematology section bench assignments as required to meet \"full staffing\" levels so that there is no negative impact to patient care. The incumbent also plans and directs all activity in the Hematology Laboratory in the absence of the Hematology Supervisor. The incumbent checks for proper documentation of reagent use, new lot verification, and daily, weekly, monthly maintenance activities and takes appropriate actions to remedy problems. The Lead Tech will ensure the chemical tracking program is maintained and assigned (or rotated) to the section's staff members. This includes completing the weekly hazard accumulation area checklist and checking that all reagents include proper documentation for hazard designation, storage and disposal. Accepts referrals of abnormal or unusual results and observations and advises on course of action to follow when results obtained are unacceptable. The Lead Tech participates in training of new personnel and continuation education activities for existing staff in all Hematology testing; manual tests, differential analysis, peripheral and body fluid slides and tests performed on section specific automated instruments. The incumbent examines functions of instruments (often displayed on daily reports that will \"flag\" unusual results), rechecks conditions of test performance, evaluates techniques utilized and is responsible for evaluating the final results and determining if the work-up of complex problems is sufficient Ensures the suitability of the specimens received for analysis, which includes directions for requesting new specimen if the current specimen is determined to be unusable. Monitors inventory of all Hematology Laboratory supplies and reagents, ordering additional supplies, storage and proper rotation of same to reach established \"par\" levels as required through the appropriate ordering system(s). Ensures that quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products are performed and verifies maintenance of proper records for quality control reports. Ensures the performance of calibrations, standardizations, adjustments and maintenance of instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results. Ensures that the generation of laboratory results from the work area, are entered into the laboratory/hospital computer system and the editing and verification of the results are recorded properly into the computer system. Assists in ensuring that the section meets all regulatory statutes, standards, and regulations; including but not limited to CAP, Joint Commission, DOT, FDA, VHA, etc. The Lead Medical Technologist interacts and communicates with physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other clinical staff with regard to a wide range of issues involving hematology testing, e.g. technical aspects of tests, specimen requirements, result anomalies, and laboratory capabilities. The incumbent carries out a wide range of administrative functions, under the direction of the Hematology Supervisor. The incumbent assigns work and prioritizes workload for the technical staff of the Hematology Laboratory. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with the Supervisor in the preparation and yearly updating of Hematology section Procedures, performance goals and/or position descriptions. The incumbent enforces safety practices and takes corrective action for any hazards that exist. The incumbent will have timekeeping responsibilities in a compacity determined by the supervisor. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Rotating Weekends and Holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Authorized Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
