Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to current employees of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center.

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The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) develops and recommends policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory) as mandated by VHA that include ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such a Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). The CLS consults with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs, analyzes emerging trends and technology, and adopts appropriate methods. The CLS serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and recommends policies and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point of care testing (POC) (testing outside the main laboratory as mandated by VA Directive 1106) equipment and instrumentation.
• Ensure appropriate correlation among different POC instrumentation methodologies and primary laboratory testing methodologies (waived and non-waived).
• Serve as the liaison between administration, clinical staff, and technical staff regarding the clinical, business, technical operations management processes associated with ancillary testing.
• Works closely with Laboratory Quality Manager and the Quality Management Service preparing reports, records and administrative information for participation in regulatory inspections to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements for various agencies, such as Joint Commission (JC), OIG, and College of American Pathologists (CAP).
• Coordinates and facilitates installation, implementation, maintenance, and overall use of POC instruments/methods throughout the medical center and CBOCs.
• Perform validation/method verification studies for new systems recognizing methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity.
• Possesses knowledge of the mathematical and statistical tools required to evaluate these aspects.
• Provides effective and professional training to newly hired clinical staff, students, and other clinical staff on the theoretical and practical aspects of clinical laboratory specialties and in unique handling of specimens and testing procedures.
• Stays abreast of new developments and changes in the profession.
• Responsible for periodic competency assessment of a variety of individuals
  (physicians, residents, nurses, aides, patients).
• Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day to day compliance
  with established procedures and guidelines. Recommends policy changes to
  correct deficiencies and improve the program.
• Creates, revises, and/or maintains ancillary testing procedures throughout the
  medical centers and CBOCs.

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).

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: MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
• Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below.

1. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
2. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
3. Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

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).

GS-12 Grade Determinations: One-year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

Specialized Experiences includes:

• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains ancillary testing equipment.
• Verifies correct operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring.
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs/corrections.
• Manages the proficiency testing program for the ancillary testing specialty for all sites.
• Maintains records for proficiency testing according to established laboratory standards.
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.

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

• Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory.
• Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Knowledge of Federal, state, and VHA laws, regulations, reference standards, and certifying or accrediting agency requirements to carry out work in each ancillary testing site.
• Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity.
• Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing.
• Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions

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

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing, bending over microscope, reaching for supplies or material, and lifting moderately heavy items such as centrifuges and record boxes (or occasionally lifting heavier items such as reagent packs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as dexterity (to perform intricate collection or analysis procedures) and color vision.

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.