Medical Technologist - Iowa City, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

The Medical Technologist - Lab Information Manager develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) in conjunction with the overall hospital information system (HIS).

Provides authoritative advice and consultation on the information system as they apply to the clinical laboratory. Advises all organizational levels on functions and capabilities of the LIS.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

05/14/2024 to 05/24/2024

• Salary

$108,833 - $141,478 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 12

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Iowa City, IA
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0644 Clinical Laboratory Science

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSY KW

• Control number

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) or the hospital information system (HIS) and other software packages utilized in the laboratory.
• Maintenance of laboratory files, to include periodic review of report format and laboratory software calculations.
• Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems.
• Analyzes emerging trends, software, and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals.
• Advise all organizational levels on various aspects of the functions and capabilities of the information system.
• Serves as a recognized expert to provide authoritative advice and consultation on the laboratory information system.
• Serves as the local expert for national software developers for alpha or beta testing of software packages as well as the validation of all software implemented.
• Evaluates, tests, and maintains software applications within the networking environment for compatibility with existing software, hardware, and networking environment.
• Carries out day-to-day operations related to laboratory computer use.
• Implements and maintains laboratory interfaces and middleware.
• Manages informatics. Performs data mining in support of quality monitoring missions.
• Provides consultation for providers and other application coordinators on order entry issues.
• Responsible for compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to information systems. Performs audits as needed.
• Training of new personnel on computer functions and maintenance of computer security keys.
• Hardware troubleshooting and computer maintenance.
• Serves as the Bar Code Expansion/Positive Patient Identification Coordinator for the Iowa City VA HCS.
• Performs laboratory testing as assigned.
• Performs phlebotomy and specimen processing as assigned.

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm


Telework:
Ad-hoc available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications


Basic Requirements:
a


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.)

b


Education and/or Experience Combination:

• 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,

• 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,

• 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.

c


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:

• 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.
• A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination.

d.

Certification - Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:

• Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.
• 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).
• 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 in accordance with paragraph 2d(1) above.
• 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 GS-0644 MT series.

Failure to obtain certification during that period 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.

e


Grandfathering Provision:

All MTs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

g


English Language Proficiency:

MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations:

GS-12 Medical Technologist Lab Information Manager:

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 concepts, principles and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization sufficient to provide advisory, inspection, training and problem-solving services on specific projects, programs or functions.
• Ability to adapt, implement, and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software.
• Knowledge of laboratory computer system analysis, program techniques, computer language, and program design sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions.

Physical Requirements:

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

References:
VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24

Education


IMPORTANT:
A transcript must be submitted with your application.

Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education


For further information, visit:
Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR
AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.