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. Program 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.
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. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f), Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education: 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 (for example, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc. Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer). 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: GS-12 Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience: Must possess 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience includes: A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods. In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner. GS-12 CLS - Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist: In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-12 level, your experience must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory. Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or the education and training of laboratory staff. Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations. Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. GS-12 CLS - Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist Assignment. This assignment is generally found in less complex facilities based on the Hospital Complexity Level as designated in Office of Productivity, Efficiency, and Staffing (OPES) VHA Facility Complexity Model History. NOTE: Reference the GS-13 Supervisory CLS assignment to determine the most appropriate assignment for the laboratory. For all supervisory assignments, the CLS must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety. The CLS must supervise at least one staff member at the GS-11 grade level. The supervisory CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff. The supervisory CLS ensures that orientation, training, competency assessment, and continuing education requirements are met. The individual ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements. The supervisory CLS establishes and monitors the quality of pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program and initiates corrective actions. This individual develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements. The supervisory CLS is responsible for professional and administrative oversight of operations, including fiscal and resource management. The supervisory CLS maintains effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 2 hours); intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to distinguish basic colors; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted)and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations; ability to wear required to personal protective equipment as required. Rotation of shifts imposes additional physical demands.
The incumbent is a qualified and experienced clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) who supervises clinical laboratory scientists at the GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels. The incumbent has full supervisory responsibility for nonsupervisory personnel in a lab section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS). Major Duties: Facilitating team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that section tasks are completed and team priorities, goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Preparing reports and maintains records and administrative information. Prepares and presents work-related information to the lab manager. Reports include but are not limited to reports for quality assurance, result turnaround times, specimen mislabeling issues, and corrected reports. Acting as liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Providing technical support, training, and directions to nursing staff, nursing managers, and medical staff of the medical center. Researching, adapting, developing, writing, and revising standard operating procedures. Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of test results. Responsible for training new employees, students, and laboratory staff on the performance of tests, operation of instrumentation, and section policies and procedures. Performing the more complex tests that may be requested of the section. Is the primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation. Responsible for the evaluations of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation. Ordering supplies and reagents for the section and controls adequate stock to cover typical workloads. Ensuring compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as the TJC, CAP, FDA, and the National Program Office. Coordinating Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs for the appropriate laboratory specialty area with the lab manager. Responsible for the proficiency testing in the section and investigates any results that are not acceptable in the proficiency testing program. Communicates QC, QA, PT problems to the laboratory manager. Reviewing all test results produced in the section (including results from off-hours and weekend shifts) for correctness as required by TJC/CAP, directs involved CLS in correcting errors, and notifies attending physicians as appropriate. Performing a broad range of laboratory procedures, including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist. Resolving problems/concerns from the hospital and physicians regarding the quality of testing and customer service. Executing all delegated duties assigned by the medical laboratory director. The incumbent reports directly to the lab manager and laboratory director. Outlining assignment parameters, deadlines, and priorities and advises on how to proceed when encountering unusual problems. Independently planning and caring out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment, handling problems, and determining corrective action in accordance with established policies. A great deal of independent judgment is required. Work is reviewed only for adherence to established laboratory policies and to assure that Laboratory Service maintains accreditation standards. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Clinical Laboratory Scientist formerly Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. 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 of up to 25% of the total eligible childcare costs for eligible children, up to a 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 Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 25035F