VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) encompasses the eight consolidated laboratories located at each VA Facility within VISN 22. These facilities include the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Phoenix Healthcare System, VA Northern Arizona Healthcare System, VA Southern Arizona Healthcare System and VA New Mexico Healthcare System. 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 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. 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. 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: GS-11 Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field. Assignments. These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. 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. Technical Specialist. The incumbent serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Examples include, but are not limited to, molecular/deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/genetic testing, bone marrow examination, and flow cytometry. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. Applies policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor and maintain the specialized testing. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. Advanced knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment. Preferred Experience: Experience and knowledge in the following clinical laboratory testing area- Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Coagulation. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/72, PART II, APPENDIX G24, MAY 12, 2014 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter in laboratory automation, programming, informatics 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. Duties and task: With the oversight and assistance by the GS 12 LIM: Develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) or the hospital information system (HIS). Conducts studies and recommends automation changes to correct deficiencies and improve the laboratory information specialty area. Recommends new/replacement hardware and/or software. Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the laboratory information specialty area. Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems. Understands and monitors laboratory workload capture, labor mapping, and LMIP reporting. Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory information services performed. 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 information system. Serves as the local expert for national software developers for alpha or beta testing of software packages. Applies laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the laboratory information system. Carries out day-to-day operations related to laboratory computer use, quality control and verification of results. Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988. Performs Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator Duties as assigned including but not limited to: System access controls for new and returning employees, for VistA/CPRS and ancillary systems. Maintains competency in all laboratory areas as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time (Monday through Friday 7:00am-3:30pm with rotating holidays and weekends) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Technologist (Technical Specialist-Informatics) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Yes - You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Yes - You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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