Summary

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. Program 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

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
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification
• (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 AMT
• (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 (12/03/2024) - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicable
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) - - GS-12
• Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Examples of experience would include - but are not limited to: Develop and recommend policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing
• consult with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs - analyzes emerging trends and technology - and adopts appropriate methods
• provide authoritative advice - training - troubleshooting - quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation
• develop technical bulletins - procedures - training materials - and other program materials
• ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing - results reporting - and proficiency testing
• monitor and report on continuous performance improvement initiatives
• evaluate ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines
• identify - define - and resolve issues associated with complex aspects of data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program and knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and performs and evaluates instruments - performs validation studies - recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies - and improves the program
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate also must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology concepts - principles - practices - and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory
• Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control - quality assurance - proficiency testing - inspection and accreditation - and continuous quality improvement
• 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
• Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity
• Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing
• Ability to evaluate - interpret - and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions
• Preferred Experience: 5 years' experience managing compliance with laboratory accreditation standards (i.e. - CLIA - Joint Commission and College of American Pathologists) 3 years' experience managing a quality improvement/assurance program including monitoring and reporting on performance improvement initiatives 3 years' experience oversight of proficiency testing program including implementation and development of corrective action 3 years' experience providing staff technical training including development of training materials - procedures and other program materials 3 years' experience communicating with services and individuals from services outside P&LMS with limited understanding of laboratory regulations and operations 3 years' experience with laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity 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
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 lbs.)
• Light Carrying (under 15 lbs.)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (2 to 8 hours)
• Standing (2 to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (2 to 8 hours)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4: Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service in Temple - Texas
• The incumbent develops and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Develops and updates technical policy and procedure
• Is responsible for monitoring test analyses by Point of Care testing personnel
• Assures competency testing is conducted on Point of Care testing personnel
• Must have knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements
• Major duties include - but not limited to: Develops and recommends policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory) as mandated by VHA that include ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)
• Consults with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs - analyzes emerging trends and technology - and adopts appropriate methods
• Serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice - training - troubleshooting - quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation
• Develops technical bulletins - procedures - training materials - and other program materials
• Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines
• Identify - define - and resolve issues associated with complex aspects of data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program
• Ensures accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing - results reporting - and proficiency testing
• Ensures that each testing site is enrolled in a CAP approved proficiency testing program - reviews results - is responsible for administering remedial or blind samples as required - and transmitting corrective action to the VA Regional Commissioners Office and CAP
• Maintains the Point of Care program performance improvement program - monitors components - and customer feedback for all ancillary testing sites
• Serves as the performance improvement coordinator for the Ancillary Testing Committee and Laboratory QM Committee and monitors and reports on continuous performance improvement initiatives - performs and evaluates instruments - performs validation studies
• Develops and implements corrective action to include recommendations for policy/protocol changes when deficiencies are identified
• May coordinate inventory management - supply acquisition - and contracts
• Follows safety requirements
• Performs calibration and preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov - 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) 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 #: 53636-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized