Details
Posted: 01-Jun-22
Location: Mather AFB, California
Salary: Open
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 633350300
The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of ancillary testing and oversight of testing outside the physical confines of the laboratories within VA NCHCS by non-laboratory personnel. The incumbent also develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratories as mandated by VHA). This position is located at the Sacramento VA Medical Center in Mather, CA. 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 5-year experience as an MLS, MT, or CLS Extensive knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office applications 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. 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: Experience - Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled. 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. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice. For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a MT and may be paid or non-paid employment. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled. (3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a MT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. (4) Graduate Education. Graduate education and graduate degrees may be substituted as specified at each grade level. Education must have been from an accredited college or university in a field related to MT (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology, biological science, physiology, allied health education, health systems administration, infection control and preventive medicine), which was accredited at the time the candidate completed the program. Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) The incumbent develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by VHA) including ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained in off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). The ATC consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods, serving as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation. The ATC develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, ensuring accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, result reporting and proficiency testing including reports, monitors and continuous performance improvement initiatives. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines identifying, defining and resolving issues associated with complex aspects of the data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program. The ATC has knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements, performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program, develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition and contracts. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. 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. b. Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing and a grasp of complex laboratory testing issues. c. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement. d. 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. e. 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. f. Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity. References: MED TECH GS-0644-12, VA Handbook G24, External. Above FPL. Physical Requirements: Frequent sit and walk, answer the phone. May require lifting 25 lbs. ["The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of ancillary testing and oversight of testing outside the physical confines of the laboratories within VA NCHCS by non-laboratory personnel. The incumbent also develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratories as mandated by VHA). This position is located at the Sacramento VA Medical Center in Mather, CA. These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. 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.\n- Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing (Testing outside the main laboratories as mandated by Handbook 1106.1) equipment and instrumentation. Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and Methodologies\n- Trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals (physicians, residents, nurses, patients) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently.\n- Serves as a recognized technical expert (technical consultant or technical supervisor as mandated by CLIA) to provide authoritative advice and ancillary testing program consultation in areas of quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization.\n- Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program.\n- Creates, applies, and monitors reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives, both within the program and/or the organization.\n- Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems.\n- Consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods.\n- Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the ancillary testing management program where no direct precedent exists.\n- Consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods.\n- Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the ancillary testing management program where no direct precedent exists.\n- Develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.\nTelework: Not Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Technologist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringle@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]