"When I realized all of the opportunities that being a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) provides - the versatility you get with only one degree - I said sign me up! It's a really wonderful career."
Amended to remove EDRP eligibility. The Ancillary Testing Coordinator (non-supervisory) works with the Supervisory Ancillary Testing Coordinator to review, plan, and direct developmental approaches to new automated and manual testing utilizing extensive knowledge of advanced technology and techniques. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.). 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. 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 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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-connect References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72 PART II APPENDIX G24 Preferred Qualifications: The ideal Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) should have a minimum of 3 years of experience with ancillary testing program management, identifying clinical Point-of-care testing needs, and knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements. In addition, it is preferred the incumbent has at least 2 years of experience in a leadership role with employee development/training in ancillary testing. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds Reaching above shoulder Walking 8 hours Standing 8 hours Repeated bending 8 hours Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Emotional/Mental stability Outside and inside Slippery or uneven walking surfaces Working around machinery with moving parts Working around moving objects or vehicles Working closely with others Working alone Protracted or irregular hours of work ["The Medical Technologist - Ancillary Testing Coordinator: Works with the Supervisory Ancillary Testing Coordinator to review, plan, and direct developmental approaches to new automated and manual testing utilizing extensive knowledge of advanced technology and techniques. In conjunction with the Supervisory Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Pathologists, and Medical Technologists, establishes appropriate training activities for Pathology and non-Pathology personnel including new employee orientation, new instrument operational procedures, and safety and infection control policies; Assists the Supervisory Ancillary Testing Coordinator in maintaining a current inventory of the equipment and government property within the section and must ensure that the electronic inventory (EIL) is updated whenever any property is acquired, removed, disposed, or transferred. Assuring that all specimens are processed in a timely and efficient manner with a minimum number of errors. Reviews results for correctness as required by regulatory agencies (CAP, TJC, AABB, FDA) and directs involved technicians/technologists in the correction of errors and notifies attending physicians as appropriate. Responsible for the quality control program for the Section, investigates complaints from the hospital staff concerning questionable results, and investigates and responds to Patient Safety reports (JPSRs) within 48 hours. Trains technicians/technologists as well as non-laboratory personnel in the use of new procedures and instrumentation in the Section and throughout the SLVHCS system. Performs, as needed, all manual and automated tests within the laboratory section. Works as a technologist as needed and accomplishes duties specifically assigned to the technologist in the Section supervised. The Ancillary Testing Coordinator evaluates, updates, and is responsible for troubleshooting, multiple middleware management systems used for electronic monitoring of POC data. The Ancillary Testing Coordinator acts as a liaison, and technical expert in the coordination of outside vendors, and interdepartmental Agencies (Bio Med, IT, LIM) for the evaluation of POC system failures, as well as software and hardware updates. 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 including reports, monitors and continuous improvement initiative. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. The Ancillary Testing Coordinator (non-supervisory) Technologist is also responsible for the maintenance of all required records and review of invoices to ensure the section remains within budget. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 6:00AM to 2:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 629-00495-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
