Medical Technologist (Laboratory Supervisor)

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Montgomery
Posted on: January 22, 2023

Job Description:

Summary This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants will be accepted on an ongoing basis and considered as vacancies become available. Applicants will remain on file until June 30, 2023 or until all vacancies are filled. The SPV Medical Technologist in Path & Lab Med SVC of this is responsible for the administrative functions, quality control program and the first line supervision of personnel in the Chemistry Section. Responsibilities Duties Include but are not limited to: Develops written procedures for new techniques, as well as establishes the necessary quality control measures for such techniques for the area he/she supervises. Develops quality control procedures for new tests as they are introduced into the laboratory and modifies existing procedures as needs change. Assesses data needed, designs data collection procedures, identifies parameters and determines acceptable ranges for each parameter. Identifies control samples appropriate to monitor assays/procedures; establishes protocols for evaluating control sample values (e.g., within-day variation, day-to-day variation trends, shifts); and defines action to be taken when control sample is outside limits. Establishes and maintains record keeping systems (e.g., specimen accession and retention, instrument maintenance, quality control samples); controls specimen accession through the computer system to ensure accuracy of data input and output. Develops and maintains quality control portions of procedural manuals. Designs forms as necessary to comply with regulatory agency and laboratory needs. Works with Pl Officer to review overall departmental compliance. Monitors and evaluates the productivity and performance of his/her subordinates. When corrective action is needed, develops a program or identifies an appropriate program to improve the subordinates' performance. Coordinates and/or instructs medical technology students in the theoretical and practical aspects of the areas he/she supervises. Assures that all equipment assigned to each area under his/her supervision receives the regular scheduled maintenance and is kept in good condition at all times. Reconciles CMR annually. Performs a full range of technical procedures for the proper function of the assigned section. Assures that all procedures related to each area under his/her supervision are verified in the computer. Monitors the attendance and leave of subordinates for each area under his/her supervision and when necessary takes appropriate action in a timely manner. Assures that standard laboratory policies are followed in his/her area of supervision, regarding the reporting of critical values and the correction of errors, and in reporting patient results in the computer. Ensures that all quality control checks are performed and evaluated daily and appropriate corrective action is performed and documented when necessary. Ensures that calibration of all tests is performed at regular scheduled intervals, whenever problems arise where calibration is indicated and upon the change of lot numbers of controls and reagents. Ensures that appropriate logs are kept with complete documentation of accomplishment of all aforementioned tasks. Maintains a file of instrument-generated calibration and control data. Ensures that this standard is maintained on weekends, evening, and night tours. Reviews all laboratory results reported daily. Recognizes that it is not sufficient to generate a report unless it is also reviewed. Takes corrective action when inaccurate results are reported. Investigates all unlikely results, delta checks and critical values. Evening, nigh and weekend results are reviewed no later than the close of business of the next routine workday. Delegates this assignment to designated technologist when absent. Identifies problems and potential problems in the quality control, assurance and routine procedures of the departments under his/her supervision. Takes appropriate corrective action and solves the problem. Coordinates work schedule of employees of his/her departments to ensure that adequate coverage is provided. Enforces the policies of the laboratory and his/her departments among staff under his/her supervision. Ensures that all of his/her staff is compliant. Takes appropriate corrective action when necessary. Ensures that the appropriate documents are reported using the prescribed format and in a timely manner. Represents P&LMS on committees relative to the areas he/she supervises and conducts department meetings for the areas under his/her supervision. Responds to external proficiency testing programs. Prepares reports and responds to request for quality control Assures that all standards of the American College of Pathologists (CAP) are practiced at all times in the departments under his/her supervision and that the sections qualify for accreditation by CAP. Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by the Laboratory Manager. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Subject to change based on agency needs. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 Basic Requirements: Citizenship: US Citizen Education and/or Experience Combination: 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. 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 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). English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice. For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled. GS-11Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR Education: Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field. Assignments: These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. 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. Supervisory Technologist: The incumbent has full supervisory responsibility for smaller, less complex laboratories or laboratories having no GS-11 positions subordinate to the supervisor. Employees in this assignment perform the full range of supervisory duties for one or more sections of the laboratory, including responsibility for assignment of work performed; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancement and disciplinary actions; identification of continuing education and training needs. The individual ensures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements; establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program, and initiates corrective action. This individual will develop policies and procedures, manage document control, develop performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. Responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area, to include budget execution, orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. The supervisor will maintain effective interdepartmental relations with other services in order to accomplish medical center goals. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and state laws, regulations and accrediting/regulatory requirements in order to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff. Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in order to deal with employees, team leaders and managers. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements and disciplinary actions. Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long term goals and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology, etc. Knowledge of concepts, principles and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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. 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 1193.01, 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Montgomery , Medical Technologist (Laboratory Supervisor), Healthcare , Montgomery, Alabama