Advanced Staff Technologist – Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Indianapolis, Indiana, Indiana, 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. 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. 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. Foreign education: See information located in education section of announcement. Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2): (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 (GS-9), 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). Grandfathering Provision: All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Additional details outlined below. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, VA Handbook 5005. Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-10 grade level, you must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of experience include, but is not limited, to the following: carrying out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory such as performing routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting; developing, performing, evaluating, interpreting, correlating and validating the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met; performing tests on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace, etc. In addition to the experience, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques.

Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training Preferred Experience: N/A References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-10 grade level. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44lbs), pushing and kneeling (2 hours), walking and standing (8 hours), both legs required, near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color, hearing (aid permitted). [“Serves as advanced maintenance operator on the chemistry analyzers. Performs daily preventative maintenance on analyzers as well as a more intensive weekly, monthly, and quarterly preventative maintenance. Manages workflow of all areas of the chemistry department while performing the required daily, weekly and monthly maintenance for the chemistry analyzers. Loads daily reagents and consumables onto the chemistry analyzers.

Performs lot-to-lot verification of new lots of reagents by using CAP or patient samples. Troubleshoots alarm errors on the chemistry analyzers by interpreting alarm codes and can determine cause and find a solution. Ensures procedures pertaining to the chemistry analyzers are correct and recommends any updates. Assumes the responsibility to maintain operations including preventative maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of new test systems. Instruction techniques and practices are sufficient to provide technical orientation to new technologists and bench teaching of lower grade technicians and technologists. Performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols in hematology, chemistry, blood bank and coagulation. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Provides educational advice to health care providers such as, but not limited to, sample collection techniques, interferences from hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia, laboratory test ordering and diluted specimens. Correlates lab results from hematology, chemistry, and coagulation to ensure results are accurate on questionable specimens. Such specimens include, but are not limited to, diluted and improper sharing of samples between different blood collection tubes.

Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products in hematology, chemistry, coagulation and immunohematology. Utilizes software to generate quality control results for the chemistry analyzers. Evaluates and interprets quality control by utilizing Levey-Jennings charts and applying Westgard Rules. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains chemistry analyzers. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Elevates any major problems to a higher level such as manufacturer service. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Monitors chemistry departments reagents and consumables inventory and notifies appropriate personnel when supplies are needed. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 3:30pm to 12midnight with rotating weekends and holidays working 4:00pm – 12midnight Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91748-A EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN10HREDRPSLRP@va. gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Relocation/Recruitment : Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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