Career Center

Summary

The VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) encompass the eight consolidated laboratories located at specific VA facilities within the VISN. PALMS is looking for a Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Carl T Hayden VA Healthcare System. The incumbent is able to exercise independent judgement within the scope of testing and will perform high-level duties of significant scope - complexity and range of variety at least 25% of the time while under supervisory review.

Qualifications

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: 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 (e.g. - laboratory sciences such as chemistry - biochemistry - biology - microbiology - immunology - etc.)
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• (c) 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)
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program
• OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in "Certification" above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• 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: Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS-12 Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which is directly related to the position to be filled
• This is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory
• (B) Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or education and remaining of laboratory staff
• (C) Knowledge of concepts - principles - and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations
• (D) Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution
• (E) 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
• (F) Ability to plan - organize - set short and/or long-term goals - and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages - organization structure - and new technology
• (G) Ability to manage fiscal matters - forecast resource and equipment needs - and administer the allocated budget
• Assignments: For all supervisory assignments - the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the full performance level that consist of significant scope - complexity - difficulty and variety
• The CLS must supervise at least 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 individuals ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements
• The supervisory CLS establishes and monitors the quality of preanalytical 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
• Preferred Experience: Previous supervisory experience preferred
• Previous CLS experience in a high-volume clinical laboratory preferred
• Must have current working knowledge of clinical laboratory processes and concepts
• Hospital or reference lab experience preferred
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Prepares reports - maintains records - administrative information - prepares and presents work-related information to laboratory manager and service chief
• Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors
• Responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area
• Responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation
• Maintains and calibrates instrumentation and equipment to ensure correct performance
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP - FDA - JC - AABB - and OSHA
• Coordinates quality control activities with the staff
• Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty
• Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty area
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
• Occasional Weekend/Holidays Rotation Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized