Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent employees of Johnson City, Tennessee Healthcare System Only NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include but are 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 CUA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC).
• Consults with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs, analyzes emerging trends and technology, and adopts appropriate methods.
• Serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation.
• Develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials, and other program materials.
• Ensures accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, results reporting, and proficiency testing.
• Monitors and reports on continuous performance improvement initiatives. Evaluates
• ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines.
• Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program.
• Maintains knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies, and improves the program.
• Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition, and contracts.
• Trains and evaluates the competency of ancillary testing users (including nurses,
• physicians, pharmacist, respiratory therapists, radiology technicians, dental staff) in
• the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of results promptly and accurately.

Work Schedule: 7:45 am -4:30 pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61095F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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:

• a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3,section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information.
• b. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• c. Credential. Persons appointed or reassigned to CLS positions in the GS-0644 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (given by ASCP BOC or AMT) or a Medical Technologist (given by ASCP BOR or AMT) or Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.)..
• d. English Language Proficiency. CLSs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation.
All persons employed 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.
(2)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.(3)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.
(4)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.
(5)Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standards must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements.
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.

Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12.
Experience: Candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

(A) Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory.
(B) Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement.
(C) Knowledge of Federal, state, and VHA laws, regulations, reference standards, and certifying or accrediting agency requirements to carry out work in each ancillary testing site.
(D) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity.
(E) Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing.
(F) Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions.

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-12.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves manual dexterity, visual acuity and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 2 hours); intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to distinguish basic colors; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; 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; ability to wear required to personal protective equipment as required.

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.