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Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Health Care System

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.




Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Ad-hoc
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$107,048 - $139,166 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Mon - Fri | 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBTB-13107646-27-GK
Control number
891887500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This position is open to the general public. **Veterans preference is not applicable.

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Duties

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Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Major duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • The incumbent generates reports required for workload monitoring, quality assurance, billing, and turnaround time monitoring.

  • The incumbent assists laboratory staff with laboratory computer hardware and software issues and coordinates installations and upgrades to minimize any potential impact on patient care.

  • The incumbent utilizes concepts, principles, and methodologies of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems (LIS), including, but not limited to, the display of appropriate reference ranges, reporting of proper units, and utilization of appropriate Analytical Measurement Ranges (AMR) and Clinically Reportable Ranges (CRR).

  • The incumbent demonstrates knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions and maintains knowledge of laboratory computer systems sufficient to implement laboratory-associated software packages, sustain laboratory system operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and pursue technological advancements that support organizational and facility goals.

  • The incumbent demonstrates the ability to independently plan, organize, prioritize, multitask, work effectively as a team member, and complete assignments in a timely manner.

  • The incumbent monitors, maintains, and improves HIS interfaces used by providers to order laboratory tests and retrieve laboratory results.

  • The incumbent provides technical, analytical, and Automated Data Processing (ADP) support to the laboratory and assumes ownership of assigned projects, ensuring timely completion.

  • The incumbent may be required to coordinate after-hours, weekend, or holiday support for disrupted IT functions when necessary to maintain service and when specialized knowledge of laboratory information systems is required.

  • The incumbent demonstrates exceptional communication skills with peers and supervisors, including the ability to speak before groups and communicate effectively through written policies, procedures, memoranda, and training materials.

  • The incumbent maintains and updates policies and procedures related to the laboratory information system in accordance with regulatory requirements and maintains applicable LIS documentation in compliance with VHA Directive 1106 and all applicable accrediting agency requirements.

  • The incumbent implements backup systems during periods of computer downtime, including efficient manual processes for result reporting and timely retrospective order entry and result reporting in the LIS to preserve the integrity of cumulative patient laboratory results.

  • The incumbent completes all required medical center and laboratory training and educational requirements within established deadlines.

  • The incumbent demonstrates initiative by solving problems independently whenever possible and refrains from transferring responsibility unless justified.

  • The incumbent works collaboratively as part of a team, supports coworkers, and maintains effective working relationships.

  • The incumbent promptly reports all variances, incidents, and deviations from policy in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri | 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VHAEDRPFacilityCoordinators@va.gov, 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 (Appointment Above the Minimum Rate).
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).
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: Available (ad-hoc)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 63729F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Requirements

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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 evaluation/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

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ยง 7407(a).

b. Education. 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.

c. Certification.

(1) 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.

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).

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager), GS-12.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems.
(b) Knowledge of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization.
(c) Knowledge of laboratory computer systems sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system.
(d) Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions. (E) Ability to adapt, implement and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software. (F) Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.

Preferred Experience: Previous LIM experience.

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

The Charleston VA & its CBOC's are committed to hiring a diverse workforce from various backgrounds and individuals who demonstrate a diversity, equity and inclusion-related mindset and behaviors. We are strongly seeking candidates who represent the full range of cultural and identity factors including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation/identity, gender identity and expression, age, language, abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, spiritual practices, geographic region, and other characteristics.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Agency contact information

Greta Kirby
Email
Greta.Kirby@va.gov
Address
Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
US

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