Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary

This position is designated as a Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Clinical Pathology section of Birmingham VA Healthcare System, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. The primary purpose of this position is to exercise a full range supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff in the point of Care Testing Laboratory Specialist.

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Duties

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Functions & Scope of Duties:

• Demonstrates the ability to balance responsibilities and works with a great deal of autonomy in performing responsibilities that include, but are not limited to recording and monitoring attendance; supervising and assigning work to employees; Monitoring workload and clinical testing volumes.
• Demonstrates the ability and skills to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse staff; plans and assigns work based on the priorities, requirements of assignments, and abilities of employees.
• Ensures compliance accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and establishes and monitors the quality of pre-analytical, analytical, and post analytical processes.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements plans for providing training for subordinates.
• Ensures staff understands organizational goals and mission for P&LM and BVAHCS.
• Demonstrates knowledge of HR policies and procedures, including recruitment, high performance, development model, performance-based interviewing and hiring, performance monitors, performance appraisals, employee recognition and promotion.
• recommends appointments, awards advancement and disciplinary actions.
• Develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements.
• Clearly communicates performance expectations and conducts performance reviews/appraisal ratings in a timely fashion. Provides mentoring, feedback, and coaching when needed; and recognition and or awards for high levels of performance.
• Ensures employees have appropriate supplies, equipment, materials to perform their jobs well. Monitors inventory levels to ensure adequate supply availability.
• Assures all employees work in a safe, clean, work environment and promotes these practices among all employees of P&LM.
• Provides advice, and counsel; and evaluates work of subordinates.
• Ensures the laboratory maintains continuous readiness and supports the organization's performance improvement, and patient safety programs.
• Provides authoritative consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to quality management in a clinical laboratory setting.
• Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators. Interacts with management officials and vendors providing inter-laboratory quality assurance and laboratory proficiency testing.
• Develops validation plans for equipment and methodology evaluations and evaluates statistical data collected.
• Works with Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) to ensure accuracy of automated transmission of data in Point of Care Testing and completes computer change requests for new tests for auto transmission into the patient record.
• Processes all specimens using equipment, instrument, and techniques considering problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens which could affect the test results; i.e. hemolysis, lipemia, icterus, specimen clots, the need for special handling, special timing, special preservatives, etc.
• Performs moderate and highly complex test procedures on all defined positions in the Chemistry Specialty when necessary to carry out day to day operations which include but are not limited to, routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting.
• Performs maintenance, calibrations, linearities, quality control; and troubleshoots procedures and equipment.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 61724F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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

• 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:
  • 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
  • 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 above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

Certification-Documentation Required - 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).

Grade Determinations :

Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-13

General. For all GS-13 assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments.

Experience. One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 . This experience may include but is not limited to; develops and recommends policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory) as mandated by VHA that include ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) AND

• The CLS has full supervisory responsibility in a laboratory where at least three of the five following conditions are met outlined below;
  • Lab is a complexity level index group 1 or 2 based on the Hospital Complexity Level as designated in Office of Productivity, Efficiency, and Staffing (OPES) VHA Facility Complexity Model History.
  • The laboratory performs at least one million standard billable tests annually (as reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program).
  • The CLS supervises a staff of non-supervisory personnel including at least one GS-12 subordinate.
  • Lack of on-site pathologist.
  • Oversight of more than one laboratory specialty.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans, and judge effectiveness of the operation.
• 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.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
• Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result inefficient laboratory operation.
• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
• Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

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).

Preferred Experience: Five (5) or more years of experience in all areas of the clinical laboratory (Generalist) in a medium/large medical center, including responsibility for assignment of work and familiarity with agency (CAP, T JC) requirements for accreditation.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application. A screenshot of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not an acceptable substitute for your transcript and will not be used in qualifying.

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: 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.

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Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.