Clinical Lab Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) - Laboratory Information Manager

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.

01Education

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

02Certification

(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. Grandfathering Provision.

Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

03Grade 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.

04Preferred 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 2 to 3 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 would also have 2 to 3 years 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.

05Physical 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.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties of the Clinical Lab Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) include, but are not limited to Serves as acting supervisor in the absence of the supervisor, as assigned. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the VA National Pathology Office.

Maintains competency in at least one laboratory section (Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology/Molecular, Point of Care Testing) and performs testing as assigned Trains, evaluates, and maintains oversight, per regulatory requirements, of the competency of a variety of individuals (Physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals) in the performance of Ancillary Testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently.

Develops technical bulletins, 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. Maintains regulatory compliance of the Pulmonary Section Point of Care Testing systems to ensure all requirements are met.

• Manages CAP Surveys to include kit and result distributions, verification of completed attestation documentations, corrective actions, and review of results with Laboratory Director.
• Ensures the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies used in Point of Care (POC) testing.
• Creates, applies, and monitors re-engineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives, both within the Ancillary Testing program, Service and/or the organization.

Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the POC data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems. Consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify Ancillary Testing / POC needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate new technology and methods.

Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the Ancillary Testing management program where no direct precedent exists. Maintains expertise in all aspects of Point of Care testing and can provide guidance and instruction as necessary to staff and Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Manages reagent and equipment supply inventory and maintains data for budgetary decisions.

Supports computer operations in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service and provides authoritative advice and consultation on the computer information system and Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Develops, recommends, and writes new policies and procedures (SOPs) regarding the installation and use of the Laboratory Information System (LIS) in conjunction with the overall SLVHCS Hospital Information System (HIS)/ Electronic Medical Record. Maintains all Laboratory files in the Laboratory Information System.

Works with the Laboratory Sections to train an individual from each section to serve as a liaison for troubleshooting hardware or software issues, obtaining supplies, and implementation of new programs. Builds and runs laboratory SQL searches.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm with weekend/holiday as needed (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01509F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized