Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This is an INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT and is limited to current, permanent employees of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

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The supervisory CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff. The supervisory CLS recommends appointments, awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions. The CLS plans and assigns work based on priorities, requirements of assignments, and abilities of employees; provide advice and counsel; and evaluate work of subordinates.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ancillary Testing and POC Program
  • Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing (Testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory as mandated by VHA Directive 1106)
  • Review and evaluate the appropriate correlation and calibration verification among different instrumentation and methodologies.
  • Creates, applies and monitors continuous improvement initiatives within the program and/or organization.
  • Maintains the laboratory's electronic document control system, ensuring the policies and procedures are reviewed/revised as needed and are current and consistent with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
  • Serves as the technical expert for Twin Ports, Ancillary Testing and Point of Care Programs. Provides advice and consultation for markedly difficult, complex, or unique problems encountered in the laboratory section.
• Quality Assurance
  • Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance (including proficiency testing survey samples) deviates from established performance specifications.
  • Implements and monitors quality management activities. Coordinates quality control programs and assures compliance with the proficiency testing program in the section. Establishes and monitors quality control activities and document keeping systems.
  • Establishes and maintains a program of preventive maintenance for equipment. Maintains all required records (QC, maintenance, incident reports, PT, and corrective action taken).
  • Ensure all staff are compliant with all safety rules and regulations.
• Laboratory Operations & Leadership
  • Carries out day-to-day supervision of the Twin Ports Outpatient Laboratory and the Ancillary Testing Program including waived, moderate and high complexity testing.
  • Plans and schedules on-going work. Adjust staffing levels or work procedures. Collaborates in laboratory scheduling process.
  • The supervisor performs the full range of supervisory duties for Twin Ports Outpatient Laboratory and Ancillary Program roles.
  • Approves/disapproves or modifies leave for employees in the section.
  • Monitors physician ordering practice, specimen collection/labeling errors, near-miss events, and the ability of the service to meet the needs of providers and patients.
  • Evaluates and implements the use of new methodologies and instrumentation in the section. Write and updates procedure manuals. Keeps abreast of new technology and justifies expenditure for purchase/lease which can reduce overall operating costs.
  • Recommend and implement improvements in overall efficiency and functioning of PLM regarding management decisions that may affect the service function, and if needed develop new policies and guidelines.
  • Assists in managing financial resources of PLM that includes personnel. Assists in maintaining control point activity from the initiation of supply requests.
• Inspections/Accreditation
  • Ensures compliance of all laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements from Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists, CLIA and ensures compliance with VHA Directives.
• Training/Education
  • Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.
  • Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff.
  • Conducts in-services and training sessions in hospital department as related to laboratory testing.
  • Mentor and contribute to the professional development of employees, residents and students.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Daytime Hours; No Weekend/Holidays
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This occupational series is eligible for the SLRP. Funding is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. SLRP is an incentive, not a benefit. It is dispersed as a one-time lump sum payment or bi-weekly payments. The total lifetime gross amount for student loan repayments that may by authorized on behalf of an employee is $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.

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

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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.
    • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
    • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
    • 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. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).
• 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 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Grade Determination:GS-13:

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (listed below) to fully perform at that grade level. GS-12 experience is defined as:

1. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
2. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
3. Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
4. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
5. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
6. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results.

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

1. Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans, and judge effectiveness of the operation.
2. 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.
3. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
4. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
5. Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result inefficient laboratory operation.
6. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
7. Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

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

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Driver's License: The position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle and the ability to travel for 2 continuous hours in a vehicle. The incumbent will be expected to travel for outreach events within the Minneapolis Health Care System Catchment area. The incumbent will also be required to maintain a valid driver's license, care insurance, First Aid certification and transport Veterans as needed.

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.