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. 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. Learn more. 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. 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). Grade Determinations GS-12 Supervisory Technologist 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting and regulatory requirements in order to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans and the ability to judge effectiveness of the operation. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff. Knowledge of, and ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to analyze organizational, technical and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient overall laboratory operation. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders and managers. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology, etc. Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate would have at least a Bachelor's degree (BS) in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science with ASCP certification: MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP). The applicant should have a demonstrated history of job stability and a minimum of 5 continuous years' experience working in a Microbiology/Molecular Microbiology laboratory, including experience in Bacteriology, Molecular Microbiology, Parasitology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology and Serology with knowledge of Infection Control processes and Antimicrobial Stewardship. The applicant should show leadership skills in laboratory operations such as supply or equipment procurement, staff assignments or budgetary responsibilities. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 MAY 12, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, bending over microscope, reaching for supplies or material, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision. ["The Medical Technologist (Supervisory Technologist)-Microbiology/Molecular Microbiology\nDepartment , will work as the Supervisory Medical Technologist - Microbiology in the Pathology and Laboratory Service at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans, La. The Medical Technologist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist at this level performs all supervisory functions and prepares contracting packages, budgets, safety plans, and quality improvement projects. The assignments and duties of the Supervisory Medical Technologist - Microbiology 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. Responsibilities of this position include all supervisory functions as well as all functions that are within the training and scope of duties generally performed by a Medical Technologist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist, and include, but are not limited to, any of the following: Obtains a COR Level I (advancing to a COR Level II) or a COR Level II certification and prepares and manages contracting packages for the procurement of instrumentation and/or reagents; Develops and updates policies for Microbiology/Molecular Microbiology Biosafety Risk Assessment; Compiles data and develops an annual Antibiogram to support antimicrobial stewardship programs and the establishment of antibiotic-use protocols; Develops, executes, and maintains a yearly budget for the Section; Plans and schedules on-going work; adjusts staffing levels or work procedures; Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies; Monitors and supervises day-to-day high complexity test performance; Monitors test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance, including turnaround times; Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications; Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff; Implements and monitors Quality Management activities; Performs the full range of supervisory duties. Recommends appointment, plans and assign work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates; Prepares reports, maintains records and administrative information and maintains procedure manuals (SOPs) by writing new procedures and/or updating existing procedures as necessary Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area; reviews quality control data and statistical analysis as required for quality assurance monitors and Performance Improvement (PI) initiatives; Ensures that the Incomplete Status Report is reviewed daily and initiates corrective action as necessary; reviews section reports daily for accuracy and completeness; Is a primary source of information for maintaining current and future instrumentation; evaluates new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation and confirms validation/method verification studies for new systems; Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of accreditation agencies such as CAP, TJC, DVA, CLSI, OSHA and DHHS. Coordinates Quality Control activities and maintains continual readiness for accreditation inspections; Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the Microbiology/Molecular department and attends meetings as assigned; Microbiology department and attends meetings as assigned; Provides professional and technical advice to providers, technologists and allied healthcare professionals and identifies options available to support or confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient; consults with clinicians and Infection Control Department when a trend of antibiotic susceptibilities /resistance is noted in multiple patients or facility location(s); Receives, accessions, and processes incoming samples per SOP from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics as needed; Develops, plans, and executes Section Performance Improvement projects; Serves as a member of the Pathology Essential Personnel Team (Hurricane Team); Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30 am - 3:00 pm with rotating weekends and holidays (TOD on weekends and Holidays is 7:00 am - 3:30 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 629-00248-F\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Christopher Billiot (Christopher.Billiot@va.gov) or Umika Cohen (Umika.Cohen@va.gov)\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]