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This vacancy is a solicitation for a Hiring Fair Event, which will be on an invite only basis once the position qualifications have been met. If you receive an invitation, you will be required to attend in person on:

If you receive an invitation, you will be required to attend in person on:

• April 9th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Location: Loma Linda VA Medical Center

You will be notified on 04/5/2022 if you meet the minimum qualifications. If identified as a candidate, you will receive an invitation on 04/6/2022. Please be available to complete the fingerprints and immunizations process. This is a requirement for the pre-employment process. Please make sure to bring your immunization records and 2 forms of ID for fingerprinting to the event.

Lead Medical Technologist:

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Prepares reports, maintains records, administrative information, Prepares and presents work-related information to supervisor.
• Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative moderate and complex testing methods in all the assigned laboratory specialty areas.
• Is responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area.
• Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation. Maintains and calibrates instrumentation and equipment to ensure correct performance. Troubleshoots instrumentation and equipment problems during the shift to ensure uninterrupted testing.
• Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintain current instrumentation. Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation.
• Performs all assigned duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, TJC, AABB, and OSHA.
• Coordinates quality control activities with the supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty.
• Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty area.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Technical Specialist:

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as process expert for hematology, coagulation and manual hematology primarily.
• Develops training materials and trains students, staff and laboratory assistants.
• Participates in quality control review, validation, correlations, and new instrument implementations.
• Duties include inventory management and PO management.
• Processes bone marrow biopsy collections and coordinates with reference laboratories for testing.
• Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Examples are, but not limited to, molecular/DNA testing, bone marrow examination, genetic testing, and flow cytometry.
• Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation.
• Designs work flow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area.
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information.
• Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses.
• Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.
• Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists.
• Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing.
• Applies laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing.
• Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program.

Work Schedule: Multiple work schedules may be available (Subject to change based on needs of agency)
Compressed/Flexible:Not Approved
Telework: Not Approved
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: Citizen of the United States.
• Education and Experience Combination:
  1. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, and immunology). 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 paragraphs 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 ASC

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements.

GS-11 Technical Specialist Experience or Education: Applicants 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, 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.,
2. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing.
3. Advanced knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures.
4. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
5. Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment.

Assignment. The incumbent serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Examples include, but are not limited to, molecular/deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/genetic testing, bone marrow examination, and flow cytometry. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. Applies policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor and maintain the specialized testing. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner.
GS -11 Lead Medical Technologist Assignment and KSAs
Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with management. Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation and compliance. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
2. Knowledge of regulatory, licensing and accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations in order to plan, implement or monitor laboratory programs and services.
3. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
4. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation
5. Ability to provide technical oversight in order to manage personnel and work assignments in a manner that assures completion of the laboratory workload.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24 - Medical Technologist Qualification Standard.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.