CLS Team Leader - ER Lab

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.

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 in accordance with 38 U.A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

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 for 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).

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: (S. clinical laboratory science degree program; Grandfathering Provision – Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held – including positive education and certification where applicable. 1) Employees may be reassigned or promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level—or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions; (3) Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard; (Grade Determinations – Lead 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. Knowledge – Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice; (B) Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation; (D) Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section; (E) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training; (F) 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.

Assignments – For all lead assignments, the individual must spend at least 25 % or more of their time performing lead duties over staff one grade level below. The Lead CLS communicates the organization’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and values; resolves simple informal complaints; reports performance, progress, and training needs of the team and on behavioral problems; provides information on promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance, and personnel needs; is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty, including assignment of work responsibilities, workload management, and completion of assignments for staff at or above the FPL as well as preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance; may act as a liaison to the supervisor and other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty; duties may include, but are not limited to, orientation and evaluating the competency of assigned staff including identification of continuing education and training needs, coordinating daily activity of the lab section(s), writing or modifying technical procedures, providing technical instruction, ensuring that policies, procedures and regulatory requirements are followed, advising on course of action to follow when results or samples obtained are unacceptable, and coordinating or performing quality control reviews and method verification activities.

Preferred Experience – Generalist experience encompassing blood bank, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, and immunochemistry.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12.

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

Major duties include but are not limited to: Rotates through blood bank, chemistry, immunochemistry, urinalysis, coagulation, hematology, manual chemistry/hematology, and limited microbiology.

Prepares reports, maintains records, administrative information, prepares and presents work‑related information to supervisor.

Research qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area.

Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors.

Performs qualitative and quantitative moderate and complex testing methods in all the assigned laboratory specialty areas.

Responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty areas.

Maintains and calibrates instrumentation and equipment to ensure correct performance.

Troubleshoots instrumentation and equipment problems during the shift to ensure uninterrupted testing.

Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, FDA, JC, AABB, and OSHA.

Coordinates quality control activities with the supervisor.

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.

Monday – Friday – 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm, rotating weekends, holidays and on‑call.

Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Not authorized.

Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized.

When setting pay – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (above minimum rate of the grade).

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.

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.

Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized.

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