Medical Technologist-Laboratory Information Manager

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.
Qualifications: 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.
• English Language Proficiency: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, part II.
• Certification: Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT
• 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.
  • Foreign Education: . 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:
    • (1) 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.
    • (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for 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: In addition to the Basic Requirements defined above, the incumbent must demonstrate the following:
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.
Assignment. The incumbent 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. Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing and workload recording taking into account compliance principles. Analyzes emerging trends, software and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals. Serves as the local expert for national software developers for the testing and validation of software packages. Responsible for compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to information systems and performs audits as needed. Provides consultation and training of personnel on computer functions, including ordering options, and responsible for the maintenance of computer security keys.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of concepts, principles and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems.
2. 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.
3. Ability to adapt, implement, and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software.
4. 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.
5. Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
6. Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions.

References: For additional information, please refer to VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24 MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0644, dated August 1, 2019.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and does not require special physical demands. The incumbent sits comfortably to do the work. However; there may be walking, standing, or carrying of light items such as manuals and files. Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a healthcare environment. This position requires emotional ability to deal effectively with multi-tasking and high volume of patient flow.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: FULL_TIME