Medical Technologist (Laboratory Manager)

Company: Veterans Health Administration
Location: Walla Walla
Posted on: April 9, 2021

Job Description:

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 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).(3) Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be given a temporary appointment up to the full performance level not to exceed one year as a graduate medical technologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. -- 7405(c)(2)(B). This appointment may not be extended. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be certified. Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases, MTs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the MT with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the occupation and is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Loss of Credential. Once certified, MTs must maintain their certification. Loss of certification will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment. D. English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Chapter 73 or 74. Grade Determination:GS-12
(a) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. (b) Assignments. 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. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments: Laboratory Manager. The incumbent works in a smaller, less complex laboratory and is responsible for managing and supervising all phases of laboratory service operations. Provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine, including research, agency policies, new techniques and procedures. Develops guidelines, assesses laboratory effectiveness, establishes and maintains quality assurance and performance improvement programs. Consults with local and network officials. Develops and manages program budget and resource utilization, inventory, acquisition and contracting processes. Assists and participates in educational programs affiliated with institutions providing training for individuals in laboratory or other related medical fields of study. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Ability to balance the administrative and clinical functions in order to coordinate and manage programs and resources.
b. Knowledge and skill in management/administration, which includes strategic and tactical program planning, coordination, interpretation, supervision, consultation, negotiation, problem solving, formulation of policy and guidelines and monitoring of laboratory programs.
c. Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, on technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior VHA managers in the medical center, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level staff and VHA Central Office staff.
d. Skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity.
e. Skill to develop new or modified work methods, organizational structures, records and files, management processes, staffing patterns, etc.
f. Knowledge of regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements, and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning, implementing and monitoring laboratory programs and services.
g. Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management) in accordance with VHA regulations. References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Keywords: Veterans Health Administration, Spokane , Medical Technologist (Laboratory Manager), Executive , Walla Walla, Washington