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1. The Laboratory Manager provides first line supervision to GS-0644-13 CLS Supervisors and GS-0644-12 CLS Managers as well as first line supervision to office operations of the FNCVAHCS P&LMS. Provides second line supervision to CLS, medical laboratory technicians, and phlebotomists assigned to the clinical sections of P&LMS.

2. Develops position descriptions and performance standards for the above personnel and conducts the annual performance ratings for direct reports. Serves as the approving official of performance plans and/or annual performance appraisals for the above personnel.

3. Plans programs to be accomplished by subordinates, sets priorities and schedules for work completion. Control of work is accomplished by the use of subordinate supervisory personnel. Renders decisions on work problems as presented by subordinates.

4. Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to subordinate personnel and other individuals on both work and administrative matters. Advises the Chief and Assistant Chief of P&LMS on problems of the units supervised that affect other services and the impact it may have on them.

5. Ensures implementation of the goals and objectives of the service by providing staff assistance to the Chief, Assistant Chief, and staff pathologists while coordinating and overseeing the work of GS-0644-13 CLS Supervisors and GS0644-12 CLS Managers.

6. Interviews and selects candidates for positions in P&LMS. Ensures all new clinical P&LMS personnel receive hospital and laboratory orientations. Makes recommendations for promotion and reassignment of clinical laboratory personnel.

7. Counsels and resolves complaints from employees, individually or as a group, not resolved by subordinates. Reviews any serious disciplinary cases of direct and indirect subordinates as needed. Recommends action on the more serious cases. Participates in the resolution of Union and EEO complaints within P&LMS for subordinates.

8. Advises subordinates on training needs for direct and indirect subordinates such as orientation training for new employees and competency retraining. Recommends continuing education training modules and ensures all clinical P&LMS staff complete VA requirements.

9. Recommends awards or bonuses for clinical laboratory personnel and changes in position classification, subject to approval by the Chief and/or Assistant Chief of P&LMS.

10.Schedules and participates in monthly service meetings and weekly report meetings to encourage unit communication and coordination.

11.Provides authoritative guidance to subordinates for the design, development and implementation of the P&LMS quality assurance program including training in the care, calibration, standardization and use of laboratory equipment; participation in proficiency testing programs; and standardization of procedures for managing supplies and equipment.

12.Acts as a consultant to the Chief and Assistant Chief of P&LMS regarding implementation of new programs and policies.

13.Recommends improvements in the overall efficiency and functioning of P&LMS and identifies ways to improve service delivery. Acts as a consultant to the Chief, Assistant Chief, and staff pathologists regarding management decisions that may affect service function.

14.Advises the Chief and Assistant Chief of P&LMS on safety issues within the service and ensures service-wide compliance with safety requirements. Ensures participation and compliance with safety, and emergency preparedness activities by all direct and indirect reports.

15.Coordinates service preparation for external accreditation assessments, which includes completing survey questionnaires, updating and revising appropriate policies, and ensuring departmental records are compliant.

16.Coordinates activities of the service with respective external departments, reference laboratories, and other VA hospital laboratories. Prepares contract requests, fee basis testing, and prepares P&LMS applicable sharing agreements. Coordinates prompt resolution of any problems of an administrative nature with other services in the medical center, neighboring universities or hospitals, etc.

17.Provides assistance to FNCVAHCS laboratories and interacts with appropriate staff to ensure that all necessary documentation is available. Periodically visits FNCVAHCS laboratories to make qualitative evaluations of laboratory services and determine adequacy of equipment, personnel and working conditions.

18.Keeps abreast of new technology in instrumentation and justifies expenditures for purchase of major pieces of equipment which can reduce the overall operating costs. Considers cost effectiveness, desirability and space in clinical laboratory equipment acquisitions.

Completes other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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).

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

a. 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

b. Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements.

c. Certification.

(1) 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.

(2) Exception for Non-Certified.

(a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of 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.

(b) 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).

(c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

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: (1) 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.

e. 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. NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).


GRADE DETERMINATION


Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-14

Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-14 assignments.

(a) Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Manager), GS-14.

i. The supervisory CLS serves as the Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager) and shares with the chief of laboratory service/medical director full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of laboratory service operations.

Assignment. The supervisory CLS serves as the Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager). The CLS must supervise at least one staff member at the GS-13 grade level. The CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff. The CLS provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine including research, agency policies, new techniques, and procedures. This individual develops guidelines, assesses laboratory effectiveness, and establishes and maintains quality assurance and quality management programs. The CLS consults with or serves as a consultant for local, network, and national programs and/or officials. The CLS manages regulatory affairs and compliance and develops and manages program budget and resource usage, inventory, acquisition, and contracting processes.

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

(A) Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodologies of a major clinical laboratory program and operations to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations, personnel, and management.
(B) Skill in administrative management such as budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management in accordance with organizational (for example, VHA) regulations.
(C) Ability to collaborate with other departments and upper management in a medical center or health care setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices such as VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff.
(D) Ability to plan and execute short- and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/ strategic planning.
(E) Ability to provide advisory, planning, and surveillance services to clinicians, laboratory directors, and supervisors on specific functions, programs, or problems that are particularly difficult, widespread, or persistent.
(F) Ability to solve complex problems involving unique or controversial aspects of medical technology or laboratory management, new or unconventional methods, program changes or conflicts between scientific/technological requirements and regulatory or program requirements.
(G) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.


Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (under 15 pounds); Light Carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; Both hands required for fine-manipulation and simple grasping; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to8 hours); sitting (up to 8 hours); near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of color.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.