Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The area of consideration is current, permanent employees of the San Juan VAMC Employees only.

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The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist Serves as the Supervisory CLS for the medical laboratory staff with responsibility for their
performance. The incumbent oversees the operation of the evening and night personnel, ensures that agency policies and priorities are being followed, develops performance standards, and evaluates work performance of subordinates.

Duties and Tasks:

• The supervisory CLS ensures that orientation, training, competency assessment, and continuing education requirements are met.
• The supervisory CLS ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and establishes and monitors the quality of pre- analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, initiating corrective actions as needed as part of the overall laboratory quality management program.
• Accurately assesses the validity of process, recognizing common environmental or other considerations that could affect the results.
• Brings those instances or discrepant control to the attention of the supervisor, seeking guidance to validate or disclaim the results.
• The supervisory CLS approves leave requests and timecards for payroll.
• Plans and schedules on-going work.
• Adjust staffing levels or work procedures.
• Provides the day-to-day first line supervision of personnel engaged in routine laboratory testing performance for the transfusion services and the evening/night shift.
• Maintains reagent and supplies inventory to avoid interruptions of service.
• Implements and monitors quality management activities.
• Establishes and monitors quality control systems and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of test results. Ensures the quality assurance plan is followed.
• Obtains data in accordance with established procedures.
• Evaluates data and identifies discrepancies.
• Proposes solutions to remedy the deficiency or presents arguments for invalidating data or quality control methods.
• Propose new quality control practices as appropriate.
• Ensures quality assurance information is reported in appropriate format and within established timeframes.
• Provides data and information for administrative reports.
• This individual develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements.
• The supervisory CLS is responsible for professional and administrative oversight of operations, including fiscal and resource management.
• The individual functions as COR for laboratory contracts.
• Assist Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Manager) with clinical laboratory equipment inventory, supplies request and other administrative duties.
• The supervisory CLS maintains effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings, such as Supervisors, Senior Staff and Supervisors, Laboratory Safety Committee and/or represents the service in facility committees when assigned.
• Performs medical technology duties following documented training and competency assessment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact, 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 #: 62589F

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.
• 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).
• You may meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

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:

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: Clinical Laboratory Scientists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, 5a, and in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education-Transcripts submitted. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below.

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:

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-
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 the Certification requirement below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

Certification-Documentation Submitted. (1) 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.

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 for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

GS-12 Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)

Experience. For all GS-12 assignments above the Full Performance Level (GS-11), For all supervisory assignments, the CLS must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety.

NOTE: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments.

GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
• 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.
• Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations.
• Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.
• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

• Assignment. Please see the CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-0644 for a detailed description of this assignment.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit the CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-0644.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

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

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of consideration:

1. Facility Employees ( only)

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.