Microbiologist

Summary

This position is located in the Microbiology Section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Line at the James J Peters VAMC, Bronx, New York and is responsible for conducting the identification, susceptibility testing and quantitative analysis of various bacteria, fungi and viruses in human tissues and fluids.

Responsibilities

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties include but are not limited to: Performs both routine and specialized/complex work primarily in Molecular Diagnostics, Microbiology and Serology/Immunology. Specialized training, knowledge and experience in clinical laboratory Molecular Diagnostics and clinical Microbiology. Advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of a multidisciplinary environment. Exercises independent judgment with scope, complexity and a range of duties and responsibilities. Performs evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrument and automation. Acts as a technical supervisor for quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation for special area of the laboratory. Reviews all data analyzed with the Microbiology Supervisor. Assesses data needed, designs data collection procedures, assist in identifying quality assurance monitors and indicators. Performs special molecular procedures such as HIV viral load, HIV resistance testing by sequencing to detect mutations, HCV and HBV Quantitative RNA PCR, HCV genotyping, Respiratory Virus Panel etc., in support of direct patient care in diagnosis and treatment follow-up. Performs Statistical Analysis on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document and take corrective action Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, The Joint Commission, AABB, FDA and OSHA. Performs molecular pathology lab tests to include tissue-based testing, blood-based testing, and SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. Advises the Laboratory Director about technologic advances in the laboratory specialty area. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, including days, evenings, holidays. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST FIRST MEET THE BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: All qualified applicants must meet this Basic Requirement for the GS-403 series. BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: DEGREE (Bachelor's or higher) with a major in microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent from an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) If you do not supply a copy of your transcript, your application package will not be processed. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Possess a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For the GS-11 and higher-grade levels of such specialized positions, the experience must have been sufficiently specialized to insure adequate familiarity with the area of specialization or applied field of microbiology, or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered. Examples of additional education include graduate education in Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND In addition to meeting the Basic Qualification Requirement - you must also meet at least one of the Minimum Qualification Requirements. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled (Microbiologist) . Specialized experience includes experience performing routine and specialized/complex work in Molecular Pathology; experience in clinical laboratory Molecular Diagnostics and clinical Microbiology; conducting the identification, susceptibility testing and quantitative analysis of various bacteria, fungi and viruses in human tissues and fluids; and performing statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance data. (This experience must be reflected on your resume) OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Possess three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work.(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED - If you do not submit a copy of your transcript, your application will not be processed.) OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Possess equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above to fully meet the requirements of this position (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED - If you do not submit a copy of your transcript, your application will not be processed.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

Clinical Data Collection/DocumentationCreative ThinkingEducation and TrainingQuality AssuranceTechnical CompetenceTechnology Application IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, repetitive motion of pipefitting, etc. Work requires Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time when working with select agents or performing molecular procedures. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (718) 584-9000. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.