Clarification from the agency

This is a PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT and is open to Federal employees from agencies other than the Department of Veterans Affairs and All US Citizens. If you are a current, permanent, VA Nationwide employee, you should apply under the internal announcement number CBSY-12757843-25-KAH.

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

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

• Day-to day supervision of highly complex test performance.
• Plans and schedules on-going work. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. Collaborates in laboratory scheduling process.
• Makes recommendations for appointment, awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions. Evaluates work performed by subordinates, provides advice and counseling of employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory, and initiating disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Approves/disapproves or modifies leave for employees in the section.
• Enables the staff to work as a team. Promotes problem-solving amongst the staff members.
• 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.
• Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.
• Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies.
• Evaluates and implements the use of new methodologies and instrumentation in the section. Writes and updates procedure manuals. Keeps abreast of new technology and justifies expenditures for purchase/lease which can reduce overall operating costs.
• Recommends and implements 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.
• 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.
• Responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance.
• Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance (including proficiency testing survey samples) deviates from established performance specifications.
• Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff.
• 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).
• 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.
• Assists in managing financial resources of PLM that includes personnel. Assists in maintaining control point activity from the initiation of supply requests.
• Ensures all staff are compliant with all safety rules and regulations.
• Serves as the technical expert for the Special Diagnostics Department, which includes the Special Hematology, Bone Marrow, and Immunology sections. Provides advice and consultation for markedly difficult, complex, or unique problems encountered while performing testing in Bone Marrow, Special Hematology, and Immunology.
• Performs routine and complex laboratory procedures. Performs bench work as necessary.
• Responsible for operating, maintaining and troubleshooting instruments for flow cytometry, immunology, and bone marrow testing.

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 trial 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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).

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.

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.

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.