The incumbent is a highly qualified, experienced Medical Technologist that serves as the Total Quality Management and Safety Coordinator in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of this Medical Center. The incumbent works weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. He/she provides authoritative consultative services to management to all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting. 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. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. 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. 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). 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: Medical Technologist GS-11( Quality Management Technologist): (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) Assignment. 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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 MAY 12, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G24. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10 Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs); As needed - Straight pulling, pushing, walking, standing, repeated bending, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see and distinguish depth perception, basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). In addition, the ability to deal with constant noise, work around machinery with moving parts, work closely with others or alone and work protracted or irregular hours. ["Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: As the Quality Assurance Technologist, in conjunction with the section supervisors, monitors daily quality management activities to ensure that all policy and procedures are implemented and appropriate action is taken as indicated by shifts or trends in quality control material or test results. Coordinates all responses to the VA Central Office, Regional Commissioners, College of American Pathologists accreditation, JCAHO, FDA, CLIA and the Medical Center's Performance Improvement Committee. Incumbent serves as the back up for the ancillary testing coordinator. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies. The Quality Assurance Technologist establishes new monitors for ongoing quality improvement of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. Identifies ,defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Submits to Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service periodic written reports of quality assurance activity including status, progress, problems, and recommendations for improvement at least quarterly. Reviews the results of inspections by accrediting bodies at VAMC and recommends specific means to correct deficiencies and make improvements. Immediately communicates any quality or safety concerns, that affect the laboratory, to the ACOS and the Laboratory Manager. Performs statistical analyses (trend analyses, graphic representations, comparison studies, etc.) by using quality control and quality assurance data to document and demonstrate continued improvement. Maintains the library CLSI formerly (NCCLS) approved standard documents for document control purposes. Evaluates quality assurance procedures for new tests as they are introduced into the laboratory and modifies existing procedures as needed. Assesses data needed and designs data collection procedures. Reviews proficiency testing results and ensures that appropriate action is taken and documented when there is an exception. Meets with representatives of other services to resolve quality improvement problems in order to improve the quality of care, represents the laboratory on assigned committees. Coordinates and evaluates Customer satisfaction surveys. Interprets regulatory and accrediting agency requirements and pertinent regulations in performing and monitoring laboratory tests. Develops and maintains record keeping systems (i.e., quality control/quality assurance, safety, proficiency testingâ¦). Designs forms as necessary to comply with regulatory agency and laboratory needs. Maintains records and reports of all Quality Surveillance programs for timely performance and submission of data, in an organized and readily accessible manner. Develops annual quality assurance and safety plans for pathology and laboratory medicine service and performs an annual assessment and evaluation of the previous year's plan. Responds to external proficiency testing programs. Prepares reports and responds to requests for quality assurance information from hospital staff and regulatory agencies. Reviews all quality assurance records in the laboratory as indicated by regulatory and accrediting agencies. Identifies problems, spots trends, and recommends and/or initiates appropriate corrective action. Reviews current literature for improved quality control/ quality assurance procedures and best practices. Instructs medical technologists and residents in theoretical and practical aspects of quality assurance. Serves as laboratory safety/chemical hygiene coordinator, assuring adequate safety measures and procedures in the laboratory including update of safety manual and chemical hygiene plan and provision of necessary in-service training for PALMS employees. Maintains all records on safety problems, fire drills and hazards and documents all corrective action taken. Provides service specific safety training for laboratory personnel. Performs chemical and hazardous material inventories and inspection of all work and storage areas. Ensures that MSDS files are updated and maintained. Maintains professional knowledge of medical laboratory technology and keeps abreast of technological advances in all areas. The medical technologist has the responsibility to ensure an objective and up to date quality assurance and safety program is in existence in PALMS. The medical technologist has the authority and responsibility to observe, question, make corrections and initiate new programs when called upon to do so by the ACOS, PALMS. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday- Friday; 08:00am- 04:30pm; Rotating weekends and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS#918160 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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