Summary The Long Beach VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for one (1) Medical Technologist, Technical Specialist to work in the Microbiology & Molecular section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS). The incumbent serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge in Microbiology and other molecular methods. Responsibilities Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Examples are, but not limited to, molecular/DNA testing, bone marrow examination, genetic testing, and flow cytometry. Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation. Designs work flow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed. Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. Applies laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program. Serve as a technical expert providing authoritative advice and consultation in the areas of Microbiology and Medical Technology including concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform manual and automated ID/AST, validation and verification, quality control/assurance, document control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization. Operate autonomously within the confines of the Microbiology laboratory and serves as the subject matter expert and point of contact in the absence of the Microbiology supervisor. Evaluate Microbiology activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program. Develop Validation/Verification Plan. Perform data collection and evaluation for validation/verification of a range of test systems. This includes the ability to apply Categorical agreement and Essential agreement to collected data, define Very Major, Major, and Minor error/discrepancy, and perform related calculations for data analysis. Knowledge of current CLSI standards and guidelines, applying them correctly in the clinical setting. Trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals in the performance of Microbiology procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently. Creates, applies, and monitors performance improvement initiatives within the program and/or the organization. Assists in identifying, recommending, and implementing technology and workflow changes to improve the quality of lab results and/or lab service. Consults with Infection Control, Infectious Disease, or other clinical services to identify testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods. Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique aspects of tests performed in Microbiology. Develops procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Comprehensive knowledge of Microbiology to apply new scientific and technological developments and theories to laboratory and an understanding of complex laboratory testing issues. Trains CLS students on the principles, concepts, and practical applications of Microbiology as they relate to the clinical lab setting. Assists the supervisor with inspection readiness programs for CAP/TJC and other government agencies. Maintains records and ensures that standards/requirements of accrediting/regulatory agencies are met. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm, includes rotating weekends and holidays, plus on call duties Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Basic Education and Experience: 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. NOTE: Transcript(s) are required and MUST clearly state the name of the institution, name of the major/program and degree confer date NOTE: 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 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 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 38U.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: Applicant must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). The experience includes the following but not limited to: Carrying out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory including routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. Developing, performing, evaluating, interpreting, correlating and validating the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. . OR; Education: 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. (NOTE: Transcript(s) are required. Must clearly state the name of the institution, name of the major/program and degree confer date). In addition to the experience above an applicant must demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below: (i) 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. (ii) Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. (iii) 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. (iv) Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. (v) Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment. Preferred Experience: Possess ASCP certification 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-11. Physical Requirements: The work of this position requires regular and recurrent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and bending. Occasionally lifts heavy containers of supplies or equipment. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.