Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees and other agencies and all US Citizens. Veterans' Preference applies for this occupational series. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/.

Videos

The Supervisory Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) technically and administratively supervises six GS-0645-5 Medical Laboratory Technicians, one GS-0645-6 Medical Laboratory Technician, and two GS-0645-6 Health Technicians at the Brooksville CBOC, Lecanto CBOC, and Zephyrhills CBOC. The incumbent is under the supervision of the Supervisory CLS - Laboratory Manager of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics.

Other duties and functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Manages daily operations of the specimen collection, processing and shipping at Brooksville CBOC, Lecanto CBOC and Zephyrhills CBOC's.
• Monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall laboratory quality management program.
• Schedules, plans, and organizes the work using applicable VA directives, guidelines, policies, training, and accepted professional standards.
• Reviews work for quality and overall acceptability.
• Trains new employees, which includes orientation to P&LMS and Medical Center policies and procedures, as well as safety and infection control policies and procedures required to function in a safe manner for the patient and staff members.
• Trains non-laboratory personnel in proper phlebotomy techniques to include blood drawing techniques, proper patient identification policies and procedures, tube selection and fill volumes, processing, shipping, and safety policies.
• Issues performance plans, annual performance evaluations, counseling and disciplinary actions, recommendations regarding personnel actions and shift schedules, and is responsible for the laboratory staff leave and work assignments.
• Works with the key personnel at all CBOC's associated with JAHVH to oversee and standardize phlebotomy and specimen processing practices, to ensure that the same standards are maintained at the CBOC's as at the main lab.
• Evaluates and recommends modifications or adaptations of new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or expand services.
• Assists in writing new procedures or standard procedures to be compliant with CAP and TJC guidelines and regulations.
• Maintains effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
• Maintains the laboratory facilities and equipment and controls supplies used in the phlebotomy area of the lab.
• Determines compliance with safety requirements, establishes inventory and equipment maintenance requirements and maintains appropriate inventories and maintenance schedules for the phlebotomy room.
• Functions as primary point of contact for implementation of safety regulations in the drawing area and monitors safe working conditions.
• Records information pertaining to the storage of supplies, expiration dates of tubes and reagents, and completes appropriate tracking/inventory system information.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm
Travel: You are expected to travel up to 50% of the time - valid Driver's License required
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 72105F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - As determined by Facility/Agency

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.
• 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

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency. MLT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education. Candidates must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.
• Certification. Candidates must currently possess one of the appropriate certifications as an MLT granted by the following organizations:
  • American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
    • ASCP, Board of Certification. Or,
    • ASCP, Board of Registry.
  • American Medical Technologists. Or,
  • American Association of Bioanalysts.

Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign MLT programs are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a current certification as described above.

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 meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Supervisory Medical Laboratory Technician, GS-08

• Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level. (Examples of experience include: Performing difficult specialized tasks including, but not limited to, advanced blood banking (antibody titers, elutions), advanced microbiology (Mycobacterium (Acid Fast Bacillus) Identification and Sensitivities, Mycology Identification, Virology, Anaerobic Culture, Polymerase Chain Reaction testing), molecular testing, high complexity testing, recording workload statistics, quality management projects and obtaining data for validation studies.)

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to effectively communicate with employees and customers.
2. Ability to develop training plans and coordinate staff development.
3. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements and disciplinary actions.
4. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

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

Preferred Experience: At least one year of supervisory experience.

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. Ability to drive/operate government vehicle.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.
4. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies but will be applied to all other applicants.

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.