Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary 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. 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy 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: (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 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) 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 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: In addition to the Basic Requirements - applicants must also meet the qualification requirements for the grade level and assignment Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS‑13: 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: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade The Supervisory Clinical Scientist has full supervisory responsibility in a laboratory where at least three of the five following conditions are met outlined below in (A) – (E) (A) 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 (B) The laboratory performs at least one million standard billable tests annually (as reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program) (C) The Clinical Laboratory Scientist supervises a staff of non‑supervisory personnel including at least one GS‑12 subordinate (D) Lack of on‑site pathologist (E) Oversight of more than one laboratory specialty Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑13 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests - walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer - manual dexterity - visual acuity - color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15‑44 pounds) light carrying (under 15 pounds) use of fingers both hands required intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling 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. Duties The Supervisory Clinical Scientist serves over the Hematology – Coagulation – and Urinalysis sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center Duties and tasks include - but are not limited to the following: Oversees daily operation of the section - ensuring that agency policies and priorities are followed - that all specimens are processed - assayed - and results are verified and released in a timely and efficient manner Develops performance standards - communicates these standards and progress in meeting these standards to subordinates and evaluates the work performance of subordinates Supervises the day‑to‑day operation of the section - prepares work schedules - and assigns duties to subordinates to ensure efficient and timely performance of all tests and procedures The incumbent gives advice - counsel - and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to the Lab Manager or Director as appropriate The incumbent effects progressive disciplinary actions as necessary and informs laboratory management of all disciplinary action taken The incumbent reviews and approves leave of subordinate employees as appropriate - ensuring minimal neccessary coverage of the area is maintained at all times The incumbent interviews candidates for positions within the section and recommends appointments - promotions - and reassignments to positions Performs reference checks and all other required hiring procedures Identifies and provides for training needs and evaluates processes to identify ways to improve efficiency - production - cost‑effectiveness - and quality of the section Acts as a Contracting Officer's Representative and performs all duties required to establish and maintain required contracts within the section Takes initiative to solve problems without assistance or transferring of responsibility unless justified Maintains a positive attitude - willingness to work as part of a team and is supportive of coworkers Collaborates and works well with others Able to respond and adapt to new processes - procedures - or equipment Willing to make changes to improve service Maintains accountability for tracking of all patient test results - slides - and paperwork appropriately and according to all applicable policies and procedures Provides professional and effective training to new employees - students - medical students - residents - providers - nursing - and other healthcare employees Maintains all employee training manuals and ensures all documentation is present for each employee and that employee certification is maintained as required by regulatory and medical center requirements Directs and conducts verifications and validations for new instrumentation - equipment - reagents - or tests brought into the laboratory Work Schedule: 0730 - 1600 (7:30am - 4:00pm) Monday - Friday EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date 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 Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program Learn more 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) 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 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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 93416‑0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr