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 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 fouryear 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. 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. 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: a. Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting and regulatory requirements in order to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans and the ability to judge effectiveness of the operation. b. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and training of laboratory staff. c. Knowledge of, and ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. d. Ability to analyze organizational, technical and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient overall laboratory operation. e. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders and managers. f. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. g. Ability to set short and/or long term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems, including personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology, etc. References: VA Handbook 5005, G24 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["The incumbent has full supervisory responsibility as Supervisory Medical Technologist for the Microbiology and Molecular sections of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System providing guidance and serving as subject matter expert in microbiology, molecular, and serological testing. The incumbent supervises nonsupervisory technical personnel including at least one GS-11 lead technologist and 11 GS-9 bench medical technologists. The incumbent recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, provides advice and counsel and evaluates the work of subordinates. - Responsible for the overall supervision of the Microbiology and Molecular testing sections. This includes selection of staff, orientation and training of all employees and students working in the section, writing functional statements, development of performance standards, assessment of competency, evaluating work performance, recommending awards or advancement, counseling employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory, and initiating disciplinary actions when necessary. Hears and resolves complaints from employees.\n- Responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the moderate and high complexity testing in the Microbiology/Molecular department to include the additional subdisciplines of Bacteriology, Mycology, Molecular Microbiology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology and Serology.\n- Prepares work schedules that include weekend and holiday coverage and tour of duty changes and assigns duties to subordinates to assure efficient and timely performance of all procedures. Responsible for granting of leave to subordinates in the assigned T&L group and communicates with other section supervisors and management as necessary to assure adequate lab coverage.\n- Plans, implements, and coordinates a quality control/quality assurance program for the Microbiology department and assures compliance with quality control and proficiency testing programs, accrediting agencies, i.e., CAP and Joint Commission.\n- Serves as the Service Chief's designee on the Infection Control Committee and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) Subcommittee. Serves as the Microbiology primary liaison with infectious disease staff, infection prevention staff, and pharmacy. Serves, as needed, as a consultant to local, network, and national program officials. Works collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, VHA Central Office, and or VISN level staff.\n- Works with Pharmacy on antibiotic stewardship, guidance for resistant organisms, and information for testing new antibiotics. Prepares antibiograms for guidance in empiric treatment of infection.\n- Plans work to be accomplished, sets short and long-term goals; assigns work based on priorities; instructs employees on work and administration matters; assists employees in obtaining continuing education and determining their training needs.\n- Responsible for the expedition of emergency and special requests and the quality, quantity, and accuracy of tests performed in the section. Develops operating procedures and updates procedures in the section in accordance with applicable accrediting and regulatory agencies. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nEDRP Authorized: Yes\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]