Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Full Job Description

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.

All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, . Basic Requirements: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship.

Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education.

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 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.

Exception for Non-Certified.

Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G24 EFFECTIVE DATE: December 3, 2024 the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.

Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).

Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.

Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation.

At the time of appointment, the Human Resources (HR) Office staff, in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline.

Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment. Loss of Credential.

If an employee fails to maintain the required certification, management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation.

This may also result in separation from employment.

If a CLS currently has, or ever had, their CLS certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status, HR Office staff must appoint them according to the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, paragraph 16.

English Language Proficiency: CLS must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Grade Determinations: GS-13: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (listed below) to fully perform at that grade level.

GS-12 experience is defined as: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.

Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.

Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of regulatory, licensing, accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning, implementing, and monitoring laboratory programs and services.

Skill in problem solving and applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to measure and improve program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity.

Skill to develop new or modified work methods, organizational structures, records and files, management processes, and staffing patterns.

Skill in administrative management such as budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management in accordance with VHA regulations.

Ability to balance administrative and clinical functions to coordinate and manage programs and resources.

Ability to plan and execute short-range and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning.

Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior managers in a medical center or health care FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G24 EFFECTIVE DATE: December 3, 2024 setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices (for example, VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff).

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-13.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major Duties:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist: The incumbent serves as the Chief of Diagnostics at the VA Black Hills Health Care System.

The Diagnostics Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) encompasses Radiology and Laboratory services. He/She has direct line supervisory responsibility for department managers.

The incumbent has direct responsibility for all technical aspects and patient care functions of the Diagnostic ICC.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as the principal advisor to executive leadership on all matters related to diagnostic imaging (radiology) and pathology/laboratory medicine services.

Directs, plans, organizes, and coordinates the overall administrative and clinical operations of the Diagnostics Service, ensuring integration and efficient delivery of high-quality diagnostic services to Veterans.

Ensures compliance with all applicable federal regulations, VHA directives (e.g., related to test result communication, quality assurance, radiation safety, and laboratory standards), accreditation requirements (TJC, ACR for imaging, CAP/CLIA for pathology/lab), and national VA policies.

Provides technical and administrative supervision to a multidisciplinary team including diagnostic radiologic technologists, sonographers, nuclear medicine techs, medical physicists, medical technologists, laboratory technicians, administrative support staff, and other personnel (roughly 42 FTEs located at 2 separate medical centers geographically separated by 90 miles and one CBOC with full imaging and laboratory service).

Assigns work, sets priorities, evaluates performance, recommends awards/promotions, approves leave, resolves grievances, and takes disciplinary actions as needed.

Recruits, interviews, and selects qualified staff; ensures ongoing training, competency assessments, and professional development to maintain high standards and adapt to evolving technologies.

Oversees quality control/quality assurance programs for diagnostic imaging and laboratory/pathology services, including monitoring accuracy, turnaround times, critical value reporting, and error reduction.

Leads or participates in root cause analyses, sentinel event reviews, and corrective action plans related to diagnostic services.

Provides oversight for a full range of diagnostic modalities including general radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine/PET, interventional radiology support, anatomic/clinical pathology, cytology, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and blood bank/transfusion services.

Collaborates with radiologists, pathologists, and other clinicians to ensure diagnostic services meet clinical needs and support accurate, timely diagnoses.

Manages PACS/RIS systems, LIS (laboratory information systems), integration with EHR (CPRS/VistA), and informatics to support efficient workflow, image/result sharing, and data security.

Oversees radiation safety program (as applicable), including compliance with NRC/VA radiation protection standards, equipment calibration, shielding evaluations, and staff training.

Serves as liaison with other clinical services, facility leadership, VISN Diagnostic Services leads, and external entities (e.g., academic affiliates, vendors, regulatory bodies).

Represents the service on facility committees (e.g., Medical Records, Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Environment of Care, Radiation Safety).

Involves independent decision-making on operational, budgetary, and personnel matters with broad implications for quality and efficiency.

Work Schedule: Full-time; The tour of duty will be discussed during interview. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Questions can be sent to VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and 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) 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 Telework: Available for Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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