The Advanced Staff Technologist performs more complex laboratory functions in addition to the duties of a lower level Medical Technologist. They manage the Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP) program and ensures Laboratory director signs quarterly. They compile data for the IQCP and reports results to Supervisor. Other duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control file maintenance. 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/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. 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. Must submit either of the following:(1) A letter from a college/university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the 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 currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. Grade Requirements (GS-10) Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles and methodology of the field to perform advanced techniques. Ability to modify or adapt established methods, procedures or techniques to resolve difficult or complex problems. Knowledge of the application of laboratory regulatory requirements. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Assignments. MTs at this level generally have a higher level of professional oversight responsibilities and may have responsibility for a specific large-scale automated analytical instrument system; a specific area of laboratory functions, such as employee competency records, supply functions, laboratory safety, quality control review, new method development or employee or student training; or provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and technologists on alternate tours of duty. Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate would have a MT/MLS(ASCP) with 3 years' experience in a diagnostic general medical Microbiology laboratory and experience with COVID-19, PCR, and viral load testing. The candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and be able to utilize Excel to manipulate data and generate graphs and reports and PowerPoint to prepare presentations. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers (both hands) required, walking 2 hours, standing 6 hours, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, emotional/mental stability. Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously, hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: Outside & inside; fumes, smoke, gases; solvents, grease & oils; radiant energy; slippery and uneven walking services; working around machinery with moving parts and moving objects, vehicles; working with hands in water; working alone and closely with others; possible exposure to communicable diseases and bloodborne pathogens. ["Responsibilities include all functions that are within the training and scope of duties generally performed by a Medical Technologist / Clinical Laboratory Scientist, and include, but are not limited to, any of the following: Manages the IQCP program and ensures Laboratory director signs quarterly. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing, reporting, documentation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and other tasks of the medical laboratory technology occupation. Performs the full range of Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, Bacteriology, and Serology tests. Performs fecal occult blood testing, viral load testing, SPE, and RPR tests. Performs instrument/test validation/verification, IQCP, specimen assessment, specimen testing, quality control, review of validity of result data, and correlates information to report results or perform additional testing to confirm abnormality of results. Reports any unusual results to the Section Supervisor and Infection Control as needed. Serves as the Technologist in charge and Acting Supervisor on behalf of the Section Supervisor as needed in the absence of the Lead Technologist and the Supervisor. Acts as the Medical Technology Student Coordinator for the Section - mentors MT students, administers tests, and evaluates student progress Coordinates instrument/test validation/verification, IQCP, specimen assessment, specimen testing, quality control, review of validity of result data, and correlates information to report results or perform additional testing to confirm abnormality of results. Updates of all SDS Binders and reviews annually and performs as the Safety Officer for the Microbiology/Molecular Lab Manages the IQCP program and ensures Laboratory director signs quarterly. Facilitates team / section processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed and team priorities, goals, needs and achievements are coordinated with management. Acts as a liaison between the team members and the supervisor. Prepares reports, maintains records and administrative information, and maintains procedure manuals by writing new procedures and/or updating existing procedures as necessary. Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area; reviews quality control data and statistical analysis as required for quality assurance monitors. Independently recognizes discrepancies in media, reagents, test procedures, unusual organisms/results and recommends reflex testing. Reviews the Incomplete Status Report daily and initiates corrective action as necessary; reviews section reports daily for accuracy and completeness and documents review per SOP. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of regulatory agencies such as CAP, TJC, OVA, CLSI, OSHA and DHHS. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor and maintains continual readiness for accreditation inspections. Updates the section SOP Manual and ensures the Microbiology lab staff follows standard lab techniques in the safe handling and disposal of hazardous specimens, chemicals and other materials through training and monitoring. Maintains stock supplies by inventorying stock; creating orders to replenish inventory levels, verifies that the product required is received and functions as expected. Provides professional and technical advice to providers, technologists and allied healthcare professionals and identifies options available to support or confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient. Consults with the supervisor, clinicians and Infection Control Department when a trend of antibiotic susceptibilities/resistance is noted in multiple patients or facility location. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 - Medical Technologist (Advanced Staff Technologist) - Microbiology / Molecular Microbiology Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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