MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST (Quality Manager)
Provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting. Maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Identifies, defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as the Joint Commission(JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Advanced knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services. Knowledge of quality management standards. Knowledge of accrediting agency and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures and principles. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Identifies, defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as the Joint Commission (JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Ensures that adequate internal control systems are developed and operative. Reviews plans, policies, and other action documents for adequacy and soundness of recommendations and conformance with existing local or higher echelon policies and practices. Conducts review of operations and procedures to appraise effectiveness and efficiency of programs and provide guidance on program improvement. Confers with the Service Chief in development and implementation of quality control, quality improvement and performance improvement activities. Designs, develops, and establishes quality assurance programs and measures, participation in proficiency testing programs, and standardization of quality assurance and quality management policies and procedures. This includes assuring compliance with applicable accreditation standards, federal and state laws and Phoenix VAMC requirements. Schedules and participates in formal service meetings and Center committee meetings, and other daily/weekly ad hoc meetings to encourage unit communication and coordination. Acts as a consultant to the Chief regarding implementation of QA/QM programs and policies addressing the service. Recommends improvements in the overall efficiency and functioning of the service and identifies ways to improve service delivery. Coordinates service preparation for external reviews which include:
CAP, FDA, TJC, OSHA, VISN, etc., which includes completing survey questionnaires, updating and revising appropriate policies, and assuring that departmental records are accurate and maintained appropriately. Assists the outpatient clinics by interacting with appropriate staff to ensure that all necessary documentation is available for all pertinent activities, inspections, CAP surveys, quality control and performance improvement activities. Visits the outpatient clinics periodically with other leadership as a member of a cohesive team to assist in making evaluations of laboratory services and to determine adequacy of equipment, personnel, and working accommodations. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday; 7:
30 AM - 4:
00 PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Not a Virtual Position 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:
(1) 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, (2) 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, (3) 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:
(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:
(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (2) 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). English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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:
Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09), 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Advanced knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology enough to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services. Knowledge of performance management standards, including preventative maintenance and performance testing procedures. Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements enough to develop plans and procedures consistent with requirements. Knowledge of quality management principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program, and/or education and training of laboratory staff. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. References:
VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 Medical Technologist Qualification Standards GS-644. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, light lifting, light carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision (correctable), far vision (correctable), depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), and driving an automobile. Incumbent may be susceptible to eyestrain from working long hours on the computer. The incumbent must be able to deal with emergency situations and function calmly under stress in both public and private. Travel to other medical facilities, training sites, conferences, etc., may be required.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Advanced knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services. Knowledge of quality management standards. Knowledge of accrediting agency and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures and principles. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Identifies, defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data. Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing. Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected. Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as the Joint Commission (JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Ensures that adequate internal control systems are developed and operative. Reviews plans, policies, and other action documents for adequacy and soundness of recommendations and conformance with existing local or higher echelon policies and practices. Conducts review of operations and procedures to appraise effectiveness and efficiency of programs and provide guidance on program improvement. Confers with the Service Chief in development and implementation of quality control, quality improvement and performance improvement activities. Designs, develops, and establishes quality assurance programs and measures, participation in proficiency testing programs, and standardization of quality assurance and quality management policies and procedures. This includes assuring compliance with applicable accreditation standards, federal and state laws and Phoenix VAMC requirements. Schedules and participates in formal service meetings and Center committee meetings, and other daily/weekly ad hoc meetings to encourage unit communication and coordination. Acts as a consultant to the Chief regarding implementation of QA/QM programs and policies addressing the service. Recommends improvements in the overall efficiency and functioning of the service and identifies ways to improve service delivery. Coordinates service preparation for external reviews which include:
CAP, FDA, TJC, OSHA, VISN, etc., which includes completing survey questionnaires, updating and revising appropriate policies, and assuring that departmental records are accurate and maintained appropriately. Assists the outpatient clinics by interacting with appropriate staff to ensure that all necessary documentation is available for all pertinent activities, inspections, CAP surveys, quality control and performance improvement activities. Visits the outpatient clinics periodically with other leadership as a member of a cohesive team to assist in making evaluations of laboratory services and to determine adequacy of equipment, personnel, and working accommodations. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday; 7:
30 AM - 4:
00 PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Not a Virtual Position 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:
(1) 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, (2) 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, (3) 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:
(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:
(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (2) 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). English Language Proficiency. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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:
Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09), 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Advanced knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology enough to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services. Knowledge of performance management standards, including preventative maintenance and performance testing procedures. Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements enough to develop plans and procedures consistent with requirements. Knowledge of quality management principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program, and/or education and training of laboratory staff. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. References:
VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 Medical Technologist Qualification Standards GS-644. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, light lifting, light carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision (correctable), far vision (correctable), depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), and driving an automobile. Incumbent may be susceptible to eyestrain from working long hours on the computer. The incumbent must be able to deal with emergency situations and function calmly under stress in both public and private. Travel to other medical facilities, training sites, conferences, etc., may be required.
- Department:
0644 Clinical Laboratory Science - Salary Range:
$66,311 to $86,203 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
