Medical Technologist

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.

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 Requirements: 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.)(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application)
AND Completion of a medical technology clinical practice program
Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agent 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
(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application).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, (Must submit a copy of transcripts with application)
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 Technologist (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
(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application)
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
(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application)
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
(Must submit a copy of transcripts with application)
Foreign Graduates: 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, or a letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination
Certification: 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 in accordance with VA Handbook 5005
Grade Determinations: GS-12 Medical Technologist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled
Assignments: The incumbent develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by VHA) including ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained in off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)
The ATC consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods, serving as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation
The ATC develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, ensuring accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, result reporting and proficiency testing including reports, monitors and continuous performance improvement initiatives
Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines identifying, defining and resolving issues associated with complex aspects of the data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program
The ATC has knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements, performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program, develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition and contracts
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the education or experience listed above, your resume must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices and methodologies sufficient to perform the full range of maintenance of technical, quality assurance and safety accreditation/testing programs
Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing and a grasp of complex laboratory testing issues
Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement
Knowledge of the types of surveillance, ability to collect data necessary to monitor variables that affect quality of services, and skill in evaluating, interpreting and teaching others to use quality control procedures and implementing corrective actions
Knowledge of Federal, VHA, and state laws, regulations, reference standards, medicolegal responsibilities, and certifying and accrediting agency requirements in order to carry out the work in each ancillary testing site
Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity Preferred Experience: Minimum 7 years' experience as a Medical Technologist
Experience, knowledge and understanding of training and maintaining staff competency in ancillary testing methods
Knowledge of accreditation standards as they relate to ancillary testing and quality management methods
Ability to collect, evaluate and present laboratory quality statistics
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
Duties "Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: .pdf Duties include, but are not limited to: Develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by VHA) including ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained in off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC).
Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines.
Identifying, defining and resolving issues associated with complex aspects of the data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program.
Generates ancillary testing reports and presentations for use in assessing compliance.
Travel to CBOCs for site visits to maintain staff competency and ensure compliance with accreditation standards by staff.
Provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting.
Provides maintenance of the laboratory performance improvement program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback.
Assists in the development of new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of new testing in conjunction with guidelines from CLSI and accrediting bodies.
Coordinates overall quality management program of clinical laboratory operations with the Laboratory Manager.
Duties include, but not limited to, generating and presenting quarterly QM reports to various committees, coordinating daily quality management activities with the Laboratory Manager, assessing quality through regular tracer performance.
Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements.
Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory occupation.
In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments.
Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring.
Performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment.
Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Availalbe Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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:AD-HOC only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"

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