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Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Microbiology)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Serves as the sole Clinical Laboratory Scientist Head of the Microbiology, Molecular, and Urinalysis Sections performing a full range of professional Clinical Laboratory tests and procedures for the entire laboratory. This position may also serve as an advanced level Clinical Laboratory Scientist in other sections of the clinical lab and complete work assignments in Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Urinalysis and Immunohematology.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/02/2020 to 01/23/2020
Salary
$62,775 - $80,912 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Kayenta, AZ
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
IHS-19-KA-10353229-ESEP/MP
Control number
516370400

Duties

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  • Performs a wide range clinical laboratory tests/exams including difficult and infrequent tests requiring special knowledge, for use in clinical diagnosis, patient screening and other authorized purposes. Communicates imperative information to subordinates, such as troubleshooting, and governs quality services.
  • Assure optimal performance of all instrument and determines procedures for microbiology tests to be performed. Writes and implements corrective actions plans for any deficiencies and monitors these fallouts in a monthly report to the supervisor for review. Monitors Quality Assurance/Quality Control indicators and Performance Improvement protocols.
  • Ensures the scheduling, performance, and documentation of the preventative maintenance for laboratory equipment. Ensures that testing processes adhere to acceptable levels of performance based on quality management procedures and principles. Reviews section work performed on a daily basis, corrects errors, and notifies attending physicians as appropriate, also reviews work performed off-hours and weekends for accuracy and timely completion of procedures.
  • Assists the supervisor with managing fiscal matters, forecasting resource and equipment needs, to project an allocated budget for the Microbiology Section.
  • Ensures that staff are trained in the microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and urinalysis sections and maintains regulatory compliance with the Joint Commission (TJC), the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards.
  • Performs Clinical Laboratory Scientist work as time and circumstances permit and require to cover the bench when needed or scheduled.
  • Defines reference values/ranges using statistical methods, sets up and monitors record keeping systems and effective quality control procedures. Identifies needs for change in the quality assurance program.
  • Serves as a core member of the clinical lab management team to provide oversight for operations, to provide excellent customer service in their section, to maintain a positive work environment, and to achieve departmental goals. Works closely with the hospital quality management department to provide data relating to patient safety issues.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Security Clearance: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. You will receive instructions on how to obtain and submit fingerprints and background investigation documentation. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges.

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Upon tentative selection, selectee will be requested to complete, sign, and submit the Addendum to OF-306, Child Care & Indian Child Care Worker Position form. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957. Seasonal Influenza immunization is required for civilian health care facility staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

Serves on call back and rotating shift assignments to provide laboratory services during evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends.

Incumbent may have occasional or incidental use of a government owned or leased vehicle and must maintain a valid state driver's license.

You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 01/23/2020

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Education: A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. OR

A full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology. OR

A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in A or B above. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable. OR

A current federal employee and was assigned to a position in the GS-0644 occupational services as of July 30, 2017.

Evaluation of Education and Experience: The major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying course work in these areas includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immunoserology, immuno-deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cytotechnology, and similar disciplines or areas of laboratory practice.

Related fields include physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, statistics, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related to the position to be filled.

For positions GS-7 through GS-15 (or equivalent), experience or graduate education must have been in (1) the general field of medical technology; (2) one of the disciplines or specialized areas of medical technology; or (3) a field directly related and applicable to medical technology or the position to be filled.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
GS-11: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples of specialized experience: performed a wide range of clinical laboratory tests/exams including difficult and infrequent tests demonstrating superior level of technical proficiency and problem solving ability in medical laboratory science principles, concepts, and methodology. Experience in calibrating, operating and maintaining analyzers and equipment appropriate to the requirements of various assays. Skilled and experience in procedure writing, performance of self assessments, evaluating of quality control and quality improvement reports to meet regulatory accreditation requirements. Ability to provide technical instructions on problems and advise subordinates on Microbiology, Molecular, and Urinalysis testing.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

Education

When there is a positive education requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, transcripts (unofficial) are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 90 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave is earned.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A 12 month service agreement will be required.

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

~~~IHS - Operated Properties are tobacco free~~~

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position. To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions.
You will be further evaluated/rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions to determine your competency in the following:

    • Attention to Detail
    • Planning and Evaluating
    • Technical Application
    • Technical Competence

Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for three months and may be used at any time during this period. After 3 months, you must reapply to this announcement in order to be considered.

You will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the assessment questionnaires. If after reviewing your resume and responses to the assessment questions, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration.

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Veterans , i.e. (VEOA, VRA, and 30% or more disabled) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) - http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/permanentDocs/ctap.doc
Interagency Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Schedule A Appointments for the Disabled - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/

Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10353229. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 01/23/2020, to be considered.

Indian Health Service

Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

This position is being re-advertised to solicit additional applications. Applicants who applied previously need not re-apply unless submitting updated and/or missing information.

Agency contact information

Raquel Sells
Phone
(928) 697-4382
Email
Raquel.Sells@ihs.gov
Address
Kayenta Service Unit
PO Box 368
Kayenta, AZ 86033
US

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