Medical Technologist-Technical Specialist (blood bank)

Medical Technologist:

The incumbent serves as a Technical Specialist in Immunohematology at the VA TVHS, Nashville Campus and serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation to bench-level technologists (GS-644-9) for more difficult, complex, or unique tests requiring special knowledge in Blood Banking/Immunohematology with a focus on equipment and irradiation processes. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of the Blood Bank Supervisory Medical Technologist (SMT) and the Director of Blood Bank.

Duties or functions performed include but are not limited to:
- Performs all duties of GS-9 bench technologists on an as-needed basis to extend laboratory coverage and maintain comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the Blood Bank with the skill to provide advisory services to technicians, technologists, and other specialists.
- In the absence of the SMT, interprets highly complex crossmatch and antibody problems; provides technical assistance on complex problems for the technologists on all tours of duty; Consults with and advises bench technologists with unusual problems, questions, and troubleshooting, reviews testing documentation for errors, technical soundness, and compliance with established procedures.
- Manages quality control/quality assurance activities related to blood product irradiation including training other staff and students, performing maintenance, maintaining documentation, and assuring regulatory compliance.
- Assists the SMT in ensuring activities associated with process improvement, customer service, data driven decision making, or team driven change are accomplished.
- Reviews accreditation and regulatory guidelines to assist the SMT in maintaining up- to-date compliance. - Completes required in-services including, but not limited to, training in Joint Commission Compliance, OSHA Safety Compliance, Patient Confidentiality Requirements, and Computer Security.
- Actively strives to improve and extend level of expertise via documented continuing medical education, including related scientific meetings, coursework, and clinical surveys; reviews related literature to remain current on consensus of experts and standard practices in the field.
- Aids the SMT in maintenance of procedure manuals, compliance with accreditation and regulatory guidelines (inspection preparedness), and quality assurance/ quality improvement.
- Performs or analyzes validation studies, provides in-service to bench technologists, and writes operating procedures prior to implementation as directed by the SMT.
- In the SMT's absence, assumes technical leadership of the Blood Bank.

Work Schedule: 3:30PM - 12:00AM, rotating weekends/holidays

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 , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 #: 70254F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized