Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent VA/Federal Employees Only: Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. Current permanent federal employees of other agencies. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major Duties:

• These assignments require specialized training and experience. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. 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.
• Performs the full range of supervisory duties. Recommends appointment, plans, and assigns work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates ensuring compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements.
• Is responsible for monitoring specimen collection, identification and processing/shipping integrity to ensure specimen acceptability for testing.
• Serves as a technical advisor to providers, nurses, and other personnel outside of P&LM relative to collection requirements and questions arising from special patient situations.
• Trains and evaluates the competency of staff in the performance of ancillary testing procedures Trains and evaluates the competency of staff in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently.
• Coordinates the Phlebotomy team to ensure inpatient and outpatient collections are performed accurately and timely.
• Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies.
• Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level.
• Serves on the Laboratory Safety Committee.
• Primary responder for deficiencies cited during Environment of Care rounds; documents corrective actions, including any work orders, action plans, due date extensions and completion of deficiency.
• Primary responder for deficiencies cited during Environment of Care rounds; documents corrective actions, including any work orders, action plans, due date extensions and completion of deficiency.
• In conjunction with the Education Coordinator, oversees initial training of technical staff members by making the rotating department assignments, monitoring competency testing, and assuring complete documentation for initial training file. Ensures that mandatory competencies are completed by laboratory staff.
• In conjunction with the Quality Manager, quality management performance improvement principles, methodology, and processes to develop and manage a clinical laboratory quality management program. Applies statistical evaluation and analysis to quality assurance data and implement corrective actions when indicated.
• In conjunction with the Ancillary Testing Coordinator, applies and enforces all regulatory requirements for the ancillary testing program and assists the Ancillary Testing Coordinator in inspection preparation and post inspection actions. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program.
• Prepares acquisition packages and comply with all program requirements. Certify invoices online in a timely manner to avoid interest penalty payment or loss of discount.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to assist in the technical monitoring or administration of contracts and budgeting of fund control points and purchase orders.
• Ensures instrumentation, reagents, supplies, instruments, and the laboratory environment are maintained at the appropriate temperature, humidity, and atmosphere as applicable and appropriate. Knows how to address alerts and document out-of-range parameters using the facility's temperature monitoring computer program. Understands the laboratory's contingency plan and the need to inform the supervisor or designee of any issues. Submit work orders as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 72305F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
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 identification 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:

• 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • 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 Certification requirement below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
• Certification-Documentation required.. 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)

• Assignments. For all GS-12 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.
• Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.
• 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.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of Supervisory Experience is Preferred.

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 to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; 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.

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.