The Lead Medical Technologist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. The incumbent carries out all of the testing responsibilities of a fully performing Medical Technologist in addition to professional oversight responsibilities for multiple automated analytical systems and/or multiple laboratory testing sections. This position comes with a recruitment incentive for external candidates. 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. You must submit a copy of your transcript with your application package. Certification: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. You must submit a copy of your certification with your application. English Language Proficiency: Medical technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience 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. (RESUME MUST REFLECT REQUIRED KSAs IN DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES IN ORDER TO BE FOUND QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION) 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). References: A Handbook VA 5005, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard This position is being announced above the full performance level at the GS-11 level. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagents packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. ["The Medical Technologist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as microbiology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), hematology, coagulation, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), and urinalysis. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals, and others in the medical center setting including the public. Responsible for performing a broad range of routine and emergency procedures during regular duty hours and when working alone on standby duty, using approved methodology for test analysis, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results. Lead Medical Technologist (25%), the duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Creates, revises, and maintains laboratory procedures in the specific specialty. Mentors and assists lower-level medical technologists with writing procedures. Interprets regulatory and accrediting agency requirements. Coordinates the competency of staff in his/her section(s) of responsibility. Reviews new standards on a regular basis for areas of oversight, and recommends changes to meet new standards. Performs interim self-inspections as assigned by the Laboratory Manager for areas of oversight. Implements corrective actions for deficiencies as assigned by The Laboratory Manager. As a rotating medical technologist (75%), the duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling. Evaluates suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable and properly documents such actions. Prepares specimens for analysis, insuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained. Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective actions. If unable to resolve issues, immediately notifies the Laboratory Manager or designated In-Charge Medical Technologist. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Documents all activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed including troubleshooting. Retrieves control data from equipment or logs for submission to inter-laboratory comparison programs. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Evaluates the validity of data in relationship to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic patient data with other patient laboratory data to verify results. Accepts referrals of abnormal or unusual results and observations from lower-grade laboratory personnel. Advises on a course of action to follow when standard and control sample values are unacceptable. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Assists in the training of new employees under the direction of the Laboratory Manager. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. Rotating weekends and holidays, 7am - 3pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91594-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
