Details
Posted: 29-Jul-22
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Salary: Open
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 668109200
The VAPHS is currently recruiting for one full time Medical Technologist. The MT performs quality assurance/management duties and patient testing in the Hematology section of the Pathology Laboratory located at University Drive. The MT is responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining a Quality Assurance/Management Program for a broad range of routine and special testing procedures in the areas of Hematology, Coagulation, Flow Cytometry, and Bone Marrow sections. 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. FOREIGN GRADUATES: Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in above paragraphs. This finding may be based on either of the following: (1) A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree. (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. CERTIFICATION: 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). GRADE REQUIREMENTS: CREDITABLE EXPERIENCE: (1) 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 Medical Technologist (MT) and may be paid or non-paid employment.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: Advanced knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating and evaluating laboratory services. Knowledge of quality management standards. Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 2-5 Years Experience Preferred REFERENCES: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: As established for the position by the facility per VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Major Duties and Responsibilities include: Coordinates, monitors, and reviews all the quality assurance functions required to support the Hematology sections of the Pathology Laboratory Monitors the daily, bi-weekly, and monthly quality control on the CBC instruments, the coagulation instruments and manual procedures, the Hemoglobin A1C instrument, Sed Rate, cell counts, Flow Cytometer, and other special procedures Collects quality control data, calculates quality control ranges, and enters quality control data into the analyzer databases as appropriate Submits quality control data to vendors for analysis and reviews the data analysis reports supplied by the vendors Keeps abreast of the functioning of all Hematology instruments and is aware of the status of each instrument Performs all major preventive maintenance on the instruments and assists in the troubleshooting of instrument problems as necessary Assists the supervisor in maintaining the CAP proficiency testing, and other programs for the Hematology Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unacceptable Advises laboratory personnel or healthcare workers on the appropriate collection and handling of specimens Prepares specimens for analysis and/or dispatch ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained Reviews daily quality control to assure that the reagents, equipment, and temperatures are within the recommended guidelines Screens test results to detect discrepancies, artifacts, and pathologic change that may warrant additional testing Evaluates and recommends new tests to be incorporated into the laboratory test menu Organizes and completes all preanalytical duties prior to the examination of the bone marrow aspirate and biopsy Performs a systematic evaluation by performing manual differential counts on the bone marrow aspirate, biopsy, iron stain, and peripheral blood and obtains the patient's laboratory data and clinical history from VistA Responsible for maintaining a file of all stained and unstained slides and bone marrow reports Writes and updates Bone Marrow Examination procedure manual and for ensures compliance with regulatory agency requirements for the section Makes sure that the preanalytical steps in performing flow cytometry for leukocyte panels including peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and other tissues, has been completed Analyzes patient specimens and proficiency testing samples for leukemia, lymphoma, and lymphocyte subset panels using judgment to ensure the appropriate population of cells are tested using the manual verses automatic instrument gate option Position is 50% Quality Assurance duties and 50% patient testing duties VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm - Rotation on the evening and night shifts and weekends and holidays may occur in emergent situations.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]