Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is opened to Facility employees at Harry S Truman VAMC (Columbia, MO). SF 50 required.

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Duties are but not limited to:

• Directly supervises the GS-12 Ancillary Testing Coordinator, GS-12 Laboratory Information Manager and a minimum of four GS 11 Supervisory Technologists.
• Manages a staff of more than 40 employees in Blood Bank, Immunology, Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Point of Care, Morgue/Frozen section, specimen processing and phlebotomy. Develops new or modified work methods, organizational structures, records and files, management processes, staffing patterns, etc., to improve efficiency.
• Manages all operations in the clinical laboratory, operating room frozen section room and the morgue addressing work assignments, planning and coordination of staff coverage and services.
• Serves as a Contract Officer Representative for a minimum of 18 contracts. Coordinates a Sharing Agreement Contract with our affiliate, the University of Missouri Pathology Department, addressing concerns on a regular basis.
• Authorized as control point official with responsibility for oversight of Pathology control point clerks and officials to appropriately manage the Pathology budget.
• Authorized as timecard official with responsibility for timeliness and accuracy of Pathology staff timekeeping. Serves as alternate timecard approver for other hospital services.
• Serves as the Equipment Inventory Official for Pathology and as a Report of Survey Official. Manages and monitors all property and equipment located in the Pathology department. Requests equipment using routine and emergency processes as required.
• Serves as the hospital laboratory consultant, communicates, both orally and in writing, on technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior VHA managers in the medical center, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level staff, and VHA Central Office staff, working collaboratively to meet objectives and goals.
• Solves complex problems related to laboratory testing, management and staffing, cooperating with other hospital departments and contracting.
• Interprets and provides technical guidance on agency policies and procedures to Pathology staff. Develops lab guidelines based on accrediting and agency guides and integrates new techniques and procedures into laboratory programs.
• Establishes a laboratory quality management program based on accreditation and local/national VA guidance and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback.
• Assures compliance with all regulatory agencies (College of American Pathologists, The Joint Commission, American Association of Blood Banks, etc.)
• Develops a Laboratory Business Plan to include budget, staffing, IT/clinical equipment, space, furniture needs; continually monitors the laboratory budget assuring that funding is adequate, and requests additional funds as required.
• Provides leadership and guidance to lab supervisors on Human Resources guidelines. Works collaboratively with HR; initiates disciplinary, recruitment, award actions; prepares recruitment documents; interviews candidates and justifies selections.
• Plans and executes short- and long-range goals/programs using project management skills.
• Assists with educational training programs for the laboratory staff and hospital medical staff.
• Develops position descriptions, functional statements and performance plans
• Writes performance appraisals for direct subordinates, reviews and approves performance ratings for all lab staff
• Works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need.
• For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact visn15edrp@va.gov , 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.
• 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:

• 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.
• Certification: 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.

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: GS-13
(1) General. For all GS-13 assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments.

(2) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) is required for all GS-13 assignments.

AND

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

(a) Knowledge of regulatory, licensing, accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning, implementing, and monitoring laboratory programs and services.
(b) Skill in problem solving and applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to measure and improve program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity.
(c) Skill to develop new or modified work methods, organizational structures, records and files, management processes, and staffing patterns.
(d) Skill in administrative management such as budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management in accordance with VHA regulations.
(e) Ability to balance administrative and clinical functions to coordinate and manage programs and resources.
(f) Ability to plan and execute short-range and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning.
(g) Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior managers in a medical center or health care setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices (for example, VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff).

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.

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.