This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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 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. Certification. Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. Grandfathering Provision. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 Medical Technologist Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience includes: Provides authoritative advice and consultation to management at all levels of the organization for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge; Identifies, defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data; Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. GS-12 Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC): In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-12 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices and methodologies sufficient to perform the full range of maintenance of technical, quality assurance and safety accreditation/testing programs. Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing and a grasp of complex laboratory testing issues. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement. Knowledge of the types of surveillance, ability to collect data necessary to monitor variables that affect quality of services, and skill in evaluating, interpreting and teaching others to use quality control procedures and implementing corrective actions. Knowledge of Federal, VHA, and state laws, regulations, reference standards, medicolegal responsibilities, and certifying and accrediting agency requirements in order to carry out the work in each ancillary testing site. Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work involves continual risks and/or discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory, e.g., working with infectious substances, contagious diseases, and irritant reagents. The ATC wears protective clothing such as lab coats, gloves, and goggles when needed. The laboratory environment places an extremely high stress factor on the ATC because of quantity of work and expected quick turnaround times. The work requires extensive and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting, walking, stooping, and stretching. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. ["The Medical Technologist Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) is a qualified, experienced Medical Technologist who serves as the Ancillary Testing Coordinator for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). Ancillary testing is defined as laboratory testing or services within a VA Medical Center or its outreach functions at the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) that is performed outside the physical facilities of the main clinical laboratory. The incumbent serves as the technical advisor to all ancillary testing sites, and as the principal coordinator for the Chief, P&LMS, who is the compliance officer for all ancillary testing sites to ensure that requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies are met. Major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following: Acts as the technical supervisor for quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, accreditation and regulatory requirements for ancillary testing on a hospital-wide basis and oversees the safe and accurate testing of outreach function patients in the clinic. Develops a documentation plan for all ancillary testing sites as part of a CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) effect. Coordinates with the Office of the Chief of Staff, the identification of the type and location of all ancillary testing sites including bedside testing sites and their designated directors within the medical center. Coordinates with the Chiefs of all clinical services that have ancillary testing sites, annual estimate on the number and types of ancillary testing analyzers and methods that are used. Updates the list each time new methods and/or instruments are added or deleted. Assesses data needed, designs data collection procedures, identifies quality assurance monitors and indicators, and reviews all data analyzed with the Chief of service. Performs statistical analysis (variations, standard deviation, trend analysis) on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action. Implements and monitors protocols established in M-2, part VI, chapter 10, \"Ancillary Testing\", for quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, linearity, instrument maintenance, and user competency for all testing. Assures compliance with the following patient test management requirements: a) detailed written or electronic test requisitions; b) a recording system for specimens submitted that documents each step in processing and testing patient specimens; c) adequate systems to report test results in a timely, accurate, and reliable manner; and d) adequate systems governing the maintenance, timing, and storage of test reports. Writes standard operating procedures for all ancillary testing sites. Develops and coordinates ancillary care training for ancillary testing personnel, laboratory staff, and other medical center personnel as needed. Documentation of initial training and annual training is maintained for all ancillary testing personnel. Maintains a laboratory performance improvement program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Assures compliance with quality control and proficiency testing programs and accreditation requirements (College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and agency policies). Additional duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Assists with the coordination of external reviews for all sites and follow-up of recommendations resulting from these visits. Assists with the performance and coordination of accreditation reviews at other health care sites. Formulates communications and documentation of deficiencies noted. Designs, implements and monitors quality control programs and assures participation in accredited proficiency testing programs in all areas of the laboratory, ancillary testing and remote clinical sites. Designs, implements, and monitors preventative maintenance programs for all ancillary testing sites and monitors preventive maintenance programs for the clinical laboratory. Writes standard operating procedures for quality assurance for the clinical laboratory, ancillary testing and remote clinical sites. Ensures that current mandatory hours of continuing education, training modules and additional education hours required by facility are complete. Performs duties as a rotating medical technologist on weekends and holidays and as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59759-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Amanda Garner at Amanda.Garner4@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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