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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Technologist (Advanced Staff Technologist) - Evening/Night/Weekend Team Near Orleans, LA

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/Experience:
  • 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 paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above.
  • Must submit either of the following:
    • (1) A letter from a college/university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the 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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.

Grade Requirements (GS-10) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience as a Medical Technologist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist which would be equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques.
2. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems.
3. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements.4. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Assignments. MTs at this level generally have a higher level of professional oversight responsibilities and may have responsibility for a specific large-scale automated analytical instrument system; a specific area of laboratory functions, such as employee competency records, supply functions, laboratory safety, quality control review, new method development or employee or student training; or provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and technologists on alternate tours of duty.

Advanced Staff Technologist. MTs at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: serves as primary operator on new test systems, assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of the new test systems; assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed; oversight of the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist); provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees; recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments; coordinates the laboratory competency program; and coordinates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) laboratory proficiency/survey program.

Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate would have a Bachelor's degree (BS) in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science with ASCP certification: MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP).The applicant should have a demonstrated history of job stability and minimum of 3 continuous years' experience working independently on an evening or overnight shift in a core laboratory, including experience in Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, and Blood Bank.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see 'Duties' section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Testing for Colorblindness is required. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a laboratory setting with risks that require universal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures, without direct supervision, including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist /clinical laboratory scientist occupation. Incumbent is assigned to rotate to different areas of the laboratory during ENW tours for optimal patient care. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures in the Clinical Lab, recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
• Receives, accessions, and processes incoming samples per SOP from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics.
• Responsible for daily QC and preventive maintenance of instrument systems.
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory.
• Advanced and complex procedures include, but are not limited to, performing manual differentials, estimating WBC & Platelet counts from stained peripheral blood smears, manual hematocrits, manual microscopic examination of urine sediments; culture set-up and smear prep and reading, Screening for infectious diseases on a variety of PCR and Molecular instruments, Blood Culture evaluation & reporting; ABO, Rh, Antibody Screening, Crossmatch, Antibody Identification, component preparation and dispensing/ inventory maintenance and performing CAP proficiency testing.
• Recognizes deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction in these same departments (Chemistry, Hematology, Immunochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, Transfusion Medicines and Urinalysis) and initiates corrective actions as deemed appropriate. Informs the supervisor of malfunctions and status of corrective actions implemented
• Performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results.
• Follows standard operating procedures (SOP) in all applicable areas to assure accuracy of laboratory results. Verifies and reports results in a timely manner and communicates critical results per Pathology Service policy for Reporting of Critical Laboratory Values.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, taking into account physiologic processes and requirements for all departments in the laboratory on the alternate tour shift.
• Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance
• Maintains the confidentiality of medical records by adhering to applicable HIPPA and ADP guidelines for all patient medical data.
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity and specific factors that influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures as necessary (reflex tests)
• Oversees training of Medical Technologists and Medical Laboratory Technician
• Provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff and other employees
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees, Pathology residents and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program.
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
• Follows safety policies, universal precautions and uses personal protective equipment (PPE) for which the incumbent has been issued and trained to use for the task being performed per facility Safety and Infection Control policies
• Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed
• Recommends updated guidelines and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements for non-routine or complex assignments; coordinates the laboratory competency program; and coordinates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) laboratory proficiency/survey program.
• Manages reagent and expendables inventory to ensure patient testing is not interrupted and utilizes laboratory supplies in a cost-effective manner with a minimum of waste.
• Participates in Section Performance Improvement projects as assigned.
• Serves as a Section Representative to departmental and Facility Safety committees
• Serves as a rotating member of the SLVHCS Pathology Hurricane Team

Work Schedule: 3:30 PM - Midnight (including weekends and holidays)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 629-00078-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Christopher.Billiot@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary