Summary 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. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf The Technical Specialist (TS) advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. The incumbent also advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. The TS often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of the Laboratory Manager or designee. The incumbent ensures compliance with policies, precedents, and regulatory requirements set forth by accrediting agencies; establishes and monitors the quality of the analytical processes and analyzes emerging trends/technologies as part of the overall laboratory quality management program, and ensures corrective action is initiated as needed. The Technical Specialist: Oversees departmental analyzers and for specific large-scale automated analytical instrument system(s), service records, maintenance procedures required by PLM staff, supply functions, Quality Control (QC) reviews, new method development, or provide professional/technical advice to other staff members on evening or night shift and in the community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). Provides advisory services to Medical Technicians/Phlebotomists, Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), Medical Technologists (MT), other laboratory team members, and other staff members at the facility of day-to-day operations of the Chemistry department of the clinical laboratory, the specialty area the Technical Specialist is responsible for. Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocols to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient. Develops policies and protocols, writes standard operating procedures (SOP) for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Writes and enforces policies that prevent misidentifications and mislabeling of Chemistry specimens that may lead to patient safety issues. Identifies and corrects problems and identifying ways of improving the efficiency of the PLM Service. Conducts external and internal inspections/assessments. Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with various accrediting agencies standards and requirements (TJC, OSHA, CLIA, CAP, etc.). Reviews accreditation agency checklists/guidelines and implements changes to SOPs to satisfy the checklist/guidelines. Conducts studies, investigations, and recommends changes to correct deficiencies by writing and implementing corrective actions to improve the specialty area he/she is responsible for. Duties are continued in the Education Section of this announcement. Work Schedule: Rotating shift, M-F 10:00am - 6:30pm or 12:00pm to 8:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator at VISN17EDRP2@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 have either (1) or (2) below: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English 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). Please see the Additional Information Section of this announcement for details. Preferred Experience: Five years of work experience as a generalist Medical Technologist in a hospital setting with ASCP or AMT certification as MT, MLS, or CLS Three years of work experience as a Medical Technologist in the Chemistry section of a clinical laboratory One year in a leadership or supervisory role in a clinical laboratory One year of experience working on multidisciplinary teams or committees in a hospital setting Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, you must meet the experience and KSA's described below: GS-11 Technical Specialist 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. NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-9 level, experience must also be earned while holding an active MT, MLS, or CLS from ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. Reference: GS-9 Assignment: This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions. A MT at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. This would include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The MT develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. These require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory healthcare professionals and the public in a professional, courteous and effective manner. Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice: For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment. 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. GS-11 Technical Specialist KSAs - In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARDS, GS-0644, Dated 5/12/2014 This position is above the full performance level in the Medical Technologist occupational series. The grade at which a candidate may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: There are no set physical requirements for this position. Education Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) NAACLS - National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science - Find a Program, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA) CAAHEP - Find an Accredited Program, or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)Directory of Institutions and Programs | 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. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. NOTE: If your school was accredited by NAACLS, CAAHEP, or ABHES and can no longer be found on the accrediting body websites above, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Coordinates, maintains, and evaluates the Chemistry specialty area training and competency program. Performs and assigns Chemistry proficiency testing surveys and performs and/or assists other MTs and MLTs in performing investigations for Exception Reports and providing corrective actions as needed in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager or designee. Trains students, new employees, and PLM staff on national VHA Directives, Medical Center Policies (MCP) and PLM policies and SOPs relating to the Chemistry department. Writes, advises, and updates content of any MCP relating to the Chemistry department for the AVAHCS facility. Responsible for the QC and Quality Assurance (QA) policies in the Chemistry department. Communicates QC and QA problems to the Laboratory Manager or designee timely. Performs and/or trains MTs and MLTs in validation/method verification studies for new testing systems or reagents, including validations and/or staff training for upgrades or patches to the Laboratory Information System (LIS) in conjunction with the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) during installations and upgrades. Attends vendor training as required for complex analytical instruments and performs complex maintenance procedures. Acts as the in-house expert/consultant for troubleshooting problems/issues and works extensively with vendor field service technicians and engineers in solving highly complex analyzer operational issues. Evaluates the validity of data in relationship to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Performs complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles; presents solutions. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic patient data with other patient laboratory data to verify results. Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results. Acting as the Chemistry representative for PLM Service, attends, produces, and presents necessary data to the related facility committees as requested. Is responsible for all Chemistry department inventory management including reagent inventory, QC and calibration materials, and operational supplies. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist occupation. The incumbent serves primarily in the Chemistry department, but work performed is in a variety of clinical laboratory disciplines, such as Phlebotomy, Blood Bank, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Immunology, Serology and Urinalysis. Adheres to MCPs in the reporting and documentation of all critical testing results and ensures that MLTs and MTs are aware of all critical values as approved by the Medical Executive Board (MEB). Assists the Laboratory Manager or designee as needed for contractual purposes such as evaluation of vendors for supplies/equipment involving the Chemistry department, recommends new/replacement instrumentation, provides pertinent information for the writing of the statement of work (SOW), follows up on purchase orders (PO), verifies supplies have been received, informs the Lab Manager or designee of defective supplies/equipment received, and requests market research quotes from vendors for new supplies/consumables/service as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor as needed by the PLM Service. Works off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, and in other sections of the laboratory as needed by the PLM Service. Processes specimens, performs technical procedures correctly, and reports results accurately and efficiently throughout the laboratory. Promptly reports situations to management that could result in excessive delays in reporting patient results or that may affect patient care. Duties are continued in the Additional Information section of this announcement. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Duties Continued: Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic patient data with other patient laboratory data to verify results. Evaluates the validity of data in relationship to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Follows proper QC protocol on all assigned work benches, correctly handles QC-related problems, and reports unresolved QC problems to the pathologist and/or supervisor or designee. Properly performs and documents routine maintenance tasks on all assigned work benches. Uses incomplete workload lists and recommended organizational methods to maximize productivity and minimize turnaround times (TAT) or test delays. Uses correct labeling techniques and guidelines by verifying that minimally two unique identifiers are utilized to assure patient identity throughout all testing steps. Ensures that all specimens on assigned work benches are accounted for, tested, and resulted timely. Follows written procedures for confirming critical test values, contacting the appropriate caregiver timely, and documenting the critical value and the responsible contact accurately in the LIS and the patient's electronic health record. Communicate effectively with management and team members by relaying information promptly, clearly, and concisely regarding issues, situations, and/or incomplete items. Consolidate and investigate incomplete lists and perform proper communication hand-off with oncoming shifts. Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor as needed by the PLM Service. Works off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, and in other sections of the laboratory as needed by the PLM Service.