Medical Technologist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator)

Fresno, California, California, 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 offsite facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics(CBOC). The ATC consults with program managers of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs, analyze emerging trends, technology and adopts appropriate methods. 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 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. This finding may be based on either of the following: (1) 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. (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. Loss of Credential. Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing and a grasp of complex laboratory testing issues. (c) Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement. (d) 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. (e ) 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. (f) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity. Assignment 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with statistical software and programs to perform method verification and validation studies, such as EP Evaluator. Experience with proficiency testing exception responses. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-644, Veterans Health Administration, May 12, 2014. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds. [“Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as the Joint Commission (JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Creates, applies, and monitors reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives, both within the program and/or the organization.

Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems. Develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing including reports, monitors and continuous performance improvement initiatives. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected. Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing (Testing outside the main laboratory as mandated by Handbook 1106. 1) equipment and instrumentation. Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies. Qualify, trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals (physicians, residents, nurses, patients) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently.

Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Serves as a recognized technical expert (technical consultant or technical supervisor as mandated by CLIA) to provide authoritative advice and ancillary testing program consultation in areas of quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization. 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. Evaluates modern technologies/instruments, performs validation studies, coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition and contracts, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program. 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. Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the ancillary testing management program where no direct precedent exists. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 570-2385 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: AUTHORIZED Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Qualified candidates will be referred in the order received in USA Staffing. Cutoff dates to refer qualified candidates are as follows or as needed: June 5, 2023 June 20, 2023 July 5, 2023 July 19, 2023 August 2, 2023 August 16, 2023”]

Source ⇲