Medical Laboratory Specialist

Job Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a Medical Technologist (Laboratory Information Manager) at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center in the Pathology Medical Laboratory Service.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until filled.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervises the Medical Technologist - Technical Specialist (Assistant Laboratory Information Manager)
• Develops, recommends, and writes new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) or the hospital information system (HIS)
• Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems
• Analyzes emerging trends, software, and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the functions and capabilities of the information system
• Serves as a medical technologist with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), serology; microbiology, flow cytometry, molecular pathology and/or and specimen procurement and processing
• Serves as a backup PIV/ePAS coordinator for P&LMS
• Serves as a recognized expert to provide authoritative advice and consultation on the information system
• Monitors computer resources and makes recommendations to higher level authorities regarding allocation or future software and hardware needs
• Serves as the local expert for national software developers for alpha or beta testing of software packages
• Maintains competency as a backup operator for P&LMS Document Control System, Dragon, Temp Traks temperature monitoring system
• Carries out day-to-day operations related to laboratory computer use
• Responsible for assigning appropriate computer access and menus
• Responsible for ensuring routine computer maintenance and computer security
• Ensures that instrument interfaces are maintained and troubleshoots as necessary
• Trains P&LMS staff on computer usage and software programs
• Designs and maintains databases used for data gathering for department and interdepartmental use
• Establish baseline measures (data collection, analysis, reporting) through standardized methodologies pre-and post-implementation
• Submit reports as requested
• Collaborate, coordinate, and work with supervisors or other designees in the sections to ensure the appropriate CPT codes and RVUs are appropriately assigned to the tests
• As needed coordinate CPT, RVU reviews to ensure accuracy
• Perform initial and ongoing skill-gap analysis of users (hardware software); resolve identified user issues prior to implementation
• Complete requested reviews/audits within the time frame given
• Performs other duties as assigned by the laboratory manager

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm

Authorized Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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 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 $

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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #

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

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 - You must be a citizen of the United States

English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d), and 7407(d)

Education and/or Experience Combination - You must possess 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 You must possess 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 have 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 You must possess 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 have 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 - You must possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT

Grade Determinations. The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Medical Technologist (Laboratory Information Manager),

GS :

Experience:

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least 1 year of credible experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled

Your experience must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of concepts, principles and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems

Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization sufficient to provide advisory, inspection, training and problem-solving services on specific projects, programs or functions

Ability to adapt, implement, and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software

Knowledge of laboratory computer system analysis, program techniques, computer language, and program design sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system

Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments

Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

This is a GS-12 position, which is above the full performance level

Physical Requirements:

Must able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs

Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain

According to VA Directive and handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services

Education IMPORTANT:

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education

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:

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:

Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation)

Leave:

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave

Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed

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 , 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

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act