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. 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. Learn more This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2022. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 04/6/2022, with subsequent cut-off dates about every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. 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. OR ???????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: 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. 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). 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-12 Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (Gs-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled. Laboratory Information Manager. The incumbent develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) in conjunction with the overall hospital information system (HIS). Provides authoritative advice and consultation on the information system as they apply to the clinical laboratory. Advises all organizational levels on functions and capabilities of the LIS. Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing and workload recording taking into account compliance principles. Analyzes emerging trends, software and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals. Serves as the local expert for national software developers for the testing and validation of software packages. Responsible for compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to information systems and performs audits as needed. Provides consultation and training of personnel on computer functions, including ordering options, and responsible for the maintenance of computer security keys. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of concepts, principles and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems. Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization sufficient to provide advisory, inspection, training and problem-solving services on specific projects, programs or functions. Ability to adapt, implement, and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software. Knowledge of laboratory computer system analysis, program techniques, computer language, and program design sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system. Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions. References: VA Handbook 5005/72 Part II Appendix G24 Physical Requirements: . See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["TThe incumbent is a qualified and experienced Medical Technologist who serves as the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). As the LIM the incumbent develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information system (LIS) in conjunction with the overall hospital information system (HIS). The incumbent is also the Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) for Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA). The incumbent provides authoritative advice and consultation on the information system as they apply to the Service. The incumbent advises all organizational levels on functions and capabilities of the LIS. Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording considering compliance principles. Analyzes emerging trends, software, and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals. Serves as the local expert for national software developers for the testing and validation of software packages. Responsible for compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to information systems and performs audits as needed. Provides consultation and training of personnel on computer functions, including ordering options, and responsible for the maintenance of computer security keys. Laboratory Information Manager DutiesAssignments require specialized training and experience. Incumbent must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. Incumbent has latitude for exercising independent judgment. Implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems. Serves as the local alpha and beta testing of software packages and caries out the day-to-day operation related to laboratory computer use. Serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice/consultation in areas of quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization relative to point of care testing. 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. Performs ongoing Grand Junction P&LMS Quality Assurance auditing, results and trend reporting, recording and analysis of actions taken; makes recommendations to laboratory management for outcome improvements. Performs laboratory resource utilization evaluations as assigned by the Laboratory Manager by gathering data from computer sources such as VistA, Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW), and CPRS records, and others to analyze and make recommendations for improved efficiencies and cost-effective uses of resources. Work Schedule: Variable\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 52718-O\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Martha Kimmel, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]