Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens and current Federal Employees.

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This assignment requires specialized training and experience and has 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.

• -Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis while considering physiological processes and requirements.
• -Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
• -Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations.
• -Directs and administers Quality Control activities of defined goals, procedures, policies, tolerance limits, corrective action, and related information. Follows recommended guidelines of NCCLS protocols for establishing standards and policies concerning an internal Quality Control Program.
• -Provides consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting.
• -Reports to Quality Management Service & Patient Safety Coordinator providing quarterly analytical data with analysis to comply with all hospital accreditation agencies.
• -Orders all surveys for the main laboratory and all ancillary testing sites. Monitor results of all proficiency surveys for all units and ensures the appropriate corrective actions plans are developed. Maintain records of all survey materials for review by accrediting agencies.
• -Reviews, monitors and analyzes all records of quality control and reports to the Lab Manager and Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. Aggregates data and identify trends, recommends and monitors corrective action and measures improvement.
• -Monitors laboratory quality issues at Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Works with Manager, Ancillary Testing Coordinators and Chief Pathologist to make appropriate changes to procedures, equipment and supplies used in these areas to meet quality measures and regulatory requirements.
• -Prepares the Laboratory for all external inspections or audits, which involve completion of applications forms, correspondence, the retrieval of required documentation, and writing responses to inspection findings.
• -Maintains records of all the Temp Trak thermometers/NIST Certifications used by the laboratory. Ensures records for preventive maintenance are maintained by laboratory departments.
• -Acts as the In-Charge Chief Medical Technologist when the Laboratory Manager is off-duty, performing the critical functions of the Manager.
• -Writes reports/summaries on topics concerning laboratory services and quality management. Analyzes historical data and trends.
• -Assists Laboratory Manager and Chief of Laboratory and Medical Service in long-range planning of prospective changes in function or programs in the service with periodic review, evaluation, and if necessary, adjustments of long-term goals and objective.
• -Incumbent is designated as an Approving Official or Alternate Approving Official for the Government Purchase Card. Incumbent is responsible for meeting the standards for documentation, reconciliation, and approval of the purchase cards.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

b. 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 inorganic 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 inorganic 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.
***Must submit a copy of transcripts with application.

c. 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.

d. 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).
***MUST submit a copy of certification with application.

Grade Determinations (GS-11):

(a) Experience. 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,
(b) 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.
(c) 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.

Quality Management Technologist. Provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting. Maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Identifies, defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected. 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).

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Advanced knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating and evaluating laboratory services.
b. Knowledge of quality management standards.
c. Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations.
d. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis.
e. Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization.
f. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations.

References: Functional Statement: Medical Technologist (Quality Management Technologist) - GS 644 -11 VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix GS24, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated May 12, 2014. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Incumbent must meet physical standards for the position. The work is normally completed in an indoor office setting. Incumbent is required to stand, bend, stoop, lift and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Working in a clinical laboratory also involves regular and recurring risks to infectious substances and irritant reagents. Incumbent will be required to wear protective clothing and take safety precautions. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This is a designated drug testing position.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.