Job Summary

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. Program 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.

Job Description

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. Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certification: (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AM (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program. OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator), GS-12. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory. (B) Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement. (C) Knowledge of Federal, state, and VHA laws, regulations, reference standards, and certifying or accrediting agency requirements to carry out work in each ancillary testing site. (D) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity. (E) Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing. (F) Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions. Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science, as well as ASCP certification: MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP). The candidate should have an extensive background in Point of Care testing and a minimum of three years of experience implementing and managing a Point of Care testing program for a hospital with outlying clinics, along with knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of LIS connectivity with Point of Care testing systems is also desirable. In addition, it is preferred that the incumbent has at least two years of experience in a leadership role, with employee development and training in ancillary testing.The ideal candidate should also have 2 to 3 years Full-Time experience as a Laboratory Information manager (LIM) and the incumbent should have experience working with VistA, building and maintaining Laboratory Electronic Data Interchange (LEDI) interfaces with VA and Commercial Reference Labs, implementing and maintaining coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing and workload recording systems, (DSS, LMIP, LOINC and VBECS), SQL Searches, and developing practices that provide efficient and effective processes in laboratory data management procedures incorporating Performance Improvement Principles, such as LEAN. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.