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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Technologist Laboratory Manager Near Birmingham, AL

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:

• 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

(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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

• 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 Determinations: GS-12

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. 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.

Laboratory Manager. The incumbent works in a smaller, less complex laboratory and is responsible for managing and supervising all phases of laboratory service operations. Provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine, including research, agency policies, new techniques and procedures. Develops guidelines, assesses laboratory effectiveness, establishes and maintains quality assurance and performance improvement programs. Consults with local and network officials. Develops and manages program budget and resource utilization, inventory, acquisition and contracting processes. Assists and participates in educational programs affiliated with institutions providing training for individuals in laboratory or other related medical fields of study.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Ability to balance the administrative and clinical functions in order to coordinate and manage programs and resources.
b. Knowledge and skill in management/administration, which includes strategic and tactical program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, formulation of policy and guidelines and monitoring of laboratory programs.
c. Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, on technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior VHA managers in the medical center, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level staff and VHA Central Office staff.
d. Skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity.
e. Skill to develop new or modified work methods, organizational structures, records and files, management processes, staffing patterns, etc.
f. Knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements, and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning, implementing and monitoring laboratory programs and services.
g. Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management) in accordance with VHA regulations.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Completion of a satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only is a must. Depending upon the area of the Laboratory assigned, there may be long periods of standing, sitting, walking; long periods of using microscope; or long periods of specimen processing. Other physical exertion may include reaching for supplies or materials and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures and color vision. Additionally, there are long periods of concentration and working under pressure to produce accurate test results as quickly as possible. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

The primary purpose of Supervisory Laboratory Manager is to assist and provide support to the Supervisory Chief Medical Technologist and the Service Chief and will maintain and monitor the operation, accreditation, and safety of the Clinical Pathology Section of P&LMS.

The duties include but are not limited to:

• Demonstrates the ability to balance responsibilities and works with a great deal of autonomy in performing responsibilities that include, but are not limited, to recording and monitoring attendance; supervising and assigning work to employees; monitoring workload and clinical testing volumes; monitoring quality assurance and quality management; and labor relations.
• Demonstrates the ability and skills to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse staff. Incumbent appropriately establishes priorities, delegates responsibilities, and assigns tasks accordingly. Incumbent communicates priorities to staff for understanding and compliance with P&LMS policies and procedures, and accrediting agencies.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements plans for providing training for subordinates. Clearly communicates training expectations, and ensures completion of orientation, training, and competency assessments.
• Performs competency assessments to address employee's capabilities and ensures competency assessments are performed according to standard operating procedures. Ensures staff understands organizational goals and mission for P&LMS and BVAHCS. Maintains a working knowledge of EEO, harassment, ADR, and affirmative action and know when to seek counsel regarding related issues; and is familiar with applicable union contracts and understands the grievance process and policies.
• Addresses performance and conduct issues promptly as they occur, demonstrating skill in developing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution, and handles issues with a consistent approach and documents when appropriate. Assists the Laboratory Education Coordinator with developing curriculums for VA-STEP and HSPS programs participants, and recruitment materials, training materials, evaluation instruments, and other program materials.
• Serves as a recognized expert and provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of BVAHCS. Reviews accreditation standards evaluating for compliance and acts as necessary to correct and maintain compliance with VHA Handbook 1106.01 and all accreditation agencies.
• Participates in the operation of the laboratory and understands the relationship to the organization sufficient to provide advisory, inspection, training and problem-solving services on specific projects, programs, or functions. Participates in tactical program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, formulation of policy and guidelines for monitoring laboratory programs.
• Effectively communicates, both orally and in writing, on technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior managers in BVAHCS, VISN level staff, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Enforcement Office.
• Serves on ad hoc task forces regarding issues, such as workflow improvement/Systems Redesign in other areas to ensure effective use of manpower, money, and materials. Assists the Service Chief and Chief Medical Technologist in developing the annual P&LMS budget and provides status of funds for all fund control points. Assists the Chief Medical Technologist for all aspects of the clinical operations within P&LMS. Also, responsible in all specialty area(s) including (but not limited to) preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance.
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information.
• Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Incumbent remains current and can work at least one defined position in the Clinical Laboratory. May work on any/all laboratory shifts including (but not limited to) duty on weekends, holidays, nights, on-call rotation and maintains proficiency/competency in one defined area.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: FS 54366
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary