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Major duties and responsibilities include:

Laboratory Information Manager (65%):

• Develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) or the hospital information system (HIS).
  • Supports and educates medical center employees on computer-related problems concerning data inputs, new procedures, etc.
  • Implements and oversees the Laboratory Computer Contingency Plan: coordinates ordering of tests and reporting of test results and other data during computer downtime.
• Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems.
  • Maintains and revises the laboratory test list and listing of reference values for various tests.
  • Update the lab system computer files as new tests are introduced and modifies existing test files as warranted.
  • Designs and revises result reporting formats to meet regulatory requirements.
• Analyzes emerging trends, software, and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals.
  • Coordinates testing of new software enhancements with the laboratory departments and the system manager.
• Advise all organizational levels on various aspects of the functions and capabilities of the laboratory information system.
  • Assists other medical center personnel in the retrieval of data as requested.
  • Serves as liaison with other departments to plan and coordinate efforts, resolve common problems, develop beneficial programs, etc.
• Serves as a recognized expert to provide authoritative advice and consultation on the laboratory information system.
  • Maintains liaison with other VA centers and Information Resource Management personnel for import and export of laboratory package enhancements and for the resolution of complex problems.
  • Assists and advises the laboratory staff in solving computer problems due to computer failure, power outage, instrument interfacing problems, etc.
• Serves as the local expert for national software developers for alpha or beta testing of software packages.
• Carries out day-to-day operations related to laboratory computer use, including set up and maintenance of the interface system.

• Designs, develops and recommends policy and procedures for a complete Laboratory Safety Program in accordance with the requirements of VA and other Federal agencies.
  • Conducts annual review of the Laboratory Safety Program and Infection Control Program.
  • Revises and updates these programs as necessary.
• Acts as the Laboratory's designated Safety/Chemical Hygiene Officer.
  • Conducts or ensures that internal fire drills are conducted once per shift per quarter and documents same.
  • Ensures that Laboratory Chemical Inventory List is current and MSDS are up to date. Conducts Safety Orientation of new staff and ensures that at least one hour of service specific safety training is presented annually to all staff.
• Serves as Chair of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Safety Subcommittee.
  • Holds bi-monthly meetings and acts as Recorder of Subcommittee meeting minutes.
  • Follows up on ACTION items identified by the Committee.
• Serves as the Laboratory representative to the GEMS Committee.
  • Works with Laboratory management and staff to evaluate the environmental impact of the Laboratory Service's activities and identify areas of opportunity for waste reduction and cost-effective management of resources.
  • Measures the effectiveness of environmental initiatives and reports progress to the GEMS Committee.
• Evaluates safety activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines.
  • Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with unsafe practices or conditions.
  • Consults with facility Safety Office, Environmental Management, Facilities personnel and others as needed to resolve unsafe conditions.
  • Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program.

• Coordinates all activities associated with implementing new barcoding processes and integrating these processes with existing laboratory and hospital functions.
• Acts as Co-chair of the facility Clinical Barcode Multidisciplinary Committee (CBCMC).

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:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Certification: Candidates must possess (1) below:
(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT

Education and Experience Combination: You must meet one of the combinations listed below to be qualified for this position.
(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 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 at the time the degree was obtained.

OR,

(2)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,

(3) 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.

TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED OR YOU WILL BE FOUND INELIGIBLE

Grade Determinations:
Specialized Experience GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-11, 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:

• Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform the full range of maintenance of a technical and safety accreditation/testing program; to revise standard methods to improve or extend test systems; and to evaluate, modify, or adapt new methods to meet the requirements of particular testing situations.
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization sufficient to provide advisory, inspection, training, and problem-solving services on specific projects, programs, or functions.
• Knowledge and understanding of compliance requirements for laboratory functions. Knowledge and understanding of federal, VHA, OSHA, and state laws and regulations, reference standards, medicolegal responsibilities, and certifying and accrediting agency requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems and programming techniques sufficient to develop adapt, and maintain computer systems for accomplishing diagnostic laboratory work and quality assurance.
• Ability to adapt, implement, and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes.
• Knowledge of computer systems analysis, computer language, and program design sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system.
• Knowledge of instructional techniques and practice sufficient to instruct groups and individuals in the use of the computer system and safety protocols.
• Knowledge of communication skills to contribute ideas and relay information in a clear, concise manner to and from committee meetings and other venues of information, to individuals of various professional levels.
• Knowledge of barcode processes, and ability to adapt, implement, and integrate these processes with existing laboratory and hospital functions.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.