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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. Learn more 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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 Certification. Candidates must have either Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. 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). (3) Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above. (4) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0644 MT series. (5) Loss of Credential. Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation Grade Determinations: 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. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled. Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a MT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Graduate Education. Graduate education and graduate degrees may be substituted as specified at each grade level. Education must have been from an accredited college or university in a field related to MT (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology, biological science, physiology, allied health education, health systems administration, infection control and preventive medicine), which was accredited at the time the candidate completed the program. Grade Determinations. The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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. 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. 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. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that priorities, goals, and achievements are coordinated with management. An MT/CLS at this level 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 may be in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, flow cytometry, genetics, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and virology. This position includes 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. Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to. Perform more complex Laboratory Functions like Evaluation/ Modification and Implementation of new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Develop and recommend protocols for performance of test and evaluation of results. Ensure that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies. Recognize methodology limitations such as linearity, interferences, sensitivity and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of test results Perform instrument validation studies to include: Patient Correlation, Linearity, Calibration Verification, Analytical Measurement Range, and Precision studies. This will include the recording, statistical analysis and interpretation of results. Assist the Supervisor to investigate and correct daily errors found on Patient results. Collect data for Quality Assurance Reports. Provide professional and technical advice to technicians, technologists, and other Health Care Professionals Assist Supervisor with Initial Staff training, six month, and annual competency checks for each area of department. Perform Quality Control (Liquid and/or electronic) and troubleshoot methodologies and or instrumentation as needed. Utilizes knowledge of regulations and checklists from CAP, JCAHO or other governing regulatory bodies, to prepare lab for biennial on-site CAP Lab inspection and biennial Lab self-inspection. Incumbent organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Performs other duties as assigned by Medical Director or designee. Be a Key Operator on a major analyzer. - Troubleshoot interface issues between the Vista LIS, instrumentation and corresponding middleware. - Review assigned QC files and conduct follow-up investigation and troubleshooting as needed. - Write, update and review procedure manuals, as assigned. Review Reagent Lot to Lot studies and assess acceptability of results. Proficiency testing: oversee assignment of samples and monitor handling of results. Review of abnormal & critical patient results daily for accuracy and completion, investigate and document if follow up is needed Identifies and resolves lab issues in the absence of a supervisor on second/third shifts. Perform and evaluate results for bi-annual instrument Linearity and Patient Comparison studies. QA/QM duties/reports as assigned Create and support fair scheduling for any area or shift The Department Supervisor through the outlines, assignments, parameters, deadlines and priorities provides advice on how to proceed when unusual problems are encountered. The technologist plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignments and handles problems and correct errors in accordance with established protocols or accepted laboratory practices. The technologist reviews the work reports for the technical soundness and conformity to policy and established requirements. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 12am -830am Rotating Holidays/Weekends\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]