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The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is currently recruiting for one full-time Quality Assurance Medical Technologist. The Medical Technologist performs quality assurance/management duties and patient testing in the Blood Bank section of the Pathology Laboratory located at University Drive. The Medical Technologist is responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining a Quality Assurance/Management Program for a broad range of routine and special testing procedures in the Blood Bank. 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. 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 above paragraphs. 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).GRADE REQUIREMENTS: CREDITABLE EXPERIENCE: (1) Knowledge of Current Professional Laboratory Practice. For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities as a Medical Technologist (MT) and may be paid or non-paid employment.(2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position being filled.(3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a MT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.(4) Graduate Education. Graduate education and graduate degrees may be substituted as specified at each grade level. Education must have been from an accredited college or university in a field related to MT (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology, biological science, physiology, allied health education, health systems administration, infection control and preventive medicine), which was accredited at the time the candidate completed the program. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates GS-11: Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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 agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical evaluation and analysis. Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures and principles, as well as safety practices and regulations. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 2-5 Years Experience Preferred REFERENCES: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G24 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: As established for the position by the facility per VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Major Duties and Responsibilities include: Assists the supervisor and medical director in the planning, development and execution of the Quality Plan set forth by regulatory requirements from the FDA, AABB, CAP and TJC Responsible for accomplishing administrative, supervisory, and communication tasks consistent with the Quality Plan Manages receipt of directives, regulations, inspection reports, and other relevant communication from the FDA and other regulatory agencies Devises new and utilizes existing procedures to monitor the quality of Blood Bank operations Assists in the development, maintenance, and evaluation of internal and external quality control programs Writes and updates new procedures and SOPs to meet all accrediting agency requirements Plans and reviews current audit control points and reports to the Transfusion Medicine Supervisor and Medical Director the analysis of data and trends associated with, but not limited to proficiency and competency testing, equipment defects, safety issues, audit reports, errors and accidents, and review of corrective action taken Is a member of the transfusion committee and responds to inquiries as necessary Plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates training activities for residents, new employees, and current staff Performs donor, recipient, and compatibility testing procedures according to procedure and in compliance with regularity requirements Issues and distributes blood and blood components in accordance with written procedures in a manner with will eliminate errors and minimize outdating or wastage of blood products Assists in the selection of procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and contingent with patient considerations. Ensures the review and approval of validation protocols and results Solves complex antibody problems and evaluates and resolves problems related to Transfusion Medicine by using established policies and procedures as well as Blood Bank training and knowledge Position is 50% Quality Assurance duties and 50% patient testing duties VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm - Rotation on the evening and night shifts and weekends and holidays may occur in emergent situations.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]