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

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
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned - 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
• If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements - employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted
• Employees who are 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
• Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• Experience
• Creditable Experience
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with current CLS practices
• The experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a CLS in the health care field
• Research laboratory experience does not fulfill this requirement
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek
• For example - an individual employed 20 hours per week - or on a half-time basis - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• Quality of Experience
• Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to CLS experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled
• For all assignments above the full performance level (FPL) - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - administrative independence - complexity - and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement: GS-13 Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) is required
• This experience would include but is not limited to: Exercising a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning - directing - and assessing work of subordinate staff
• Ensuring that orientation - training - competency assessment - and continuing education requirements are met
• Ensuring compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements
• Establishing and monitoring the quality of pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program and initiates corrective actions
• Developing policies and procedures - managing document control - developing performance standards - position descriptions - and functional statements
• Professional and administrative oversight of operations - including fiscal and resource management
• Maintaining effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education 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 in efficient 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
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs)
• As needed - Straight pulling - pushing - walking - standing - repeated bending - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required
• both legs required
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• ability to see and distinguish depth perception - basic colors - and shades of colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• In addition - the ability to deal with constant noise - work around machinery with moving parts - work closely with others or alone and work protracted or irregular hours
• Preferred Experience: Hematology leadership experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties and responsibilities of the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) include but are not limited to the following: In carrying out this function - the incumbent takes measures essential to meeting professional objectives and production requirements as well as administrative functions and cost containment goals set for these laboratory sections
• The incumbent assures that the guidelines are followed and new or changed procedures are implemented - takes leadership in the maintenance of quality control and applies daily quality standards as well as monthly and quarterly QM and fiscal requirements
• The incumbent functions as a working supervisor
• The incumbent is responsible for the supervision of the Hematology/Urinalysis/Send Out section
• Prepares work schedules - grants leave - and delineates both technical and administrative duties to assure maximum efficiency within the section
• Recommends appointments - plans and assigns work - provides advice and counsel and evaluates work of subordinates
• Updates the Hematology/Urinalysis/Send Out section of the Laboratory Procedure manual and Laboratory Safety Manual
• Ensures proper maintenance and operation of the Hematology/Urinalysis equipment is being performed and is responsible for the preventative maintenance program and proper record keeping
• Reviews section work performed on a daily basis - corrects errors - and notifies attending physicians as appropriate
• Reviews work performed on off-hours and weekends for accuracy and timely completion of procedures Monitors tests analysis and specimen examination Adjusts staffing levels as needed to accommodate resource allocation decisions Trains all new technologists in the Hematology/Urinalysis/Send Out units Designs - develops - organizes and evaluates quality control programs to meet the Criteria of College of American Pathologists proficiency testing programs and monitors
• Complies with JCAHO certification criteria Performs Contracting Officer Representative duties Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
• weekends and holidays on as needed basis Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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
• 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 #: 938590 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized