Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Area of Consideration: Open to Current, Permanent VISN 12 Employees.

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This position serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - Regional Technical Specialist for the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) and provides consultative services to management at all levels of the organization, advising on various aspects of specialized testing, coordinating VISN or multi-facility specialized services, developing new policies and procedures, conducts studies, recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area, analyzes emerging trends, technology, and adopts appropriate methods, and responsible for oversight of laboratory information systems at all VISN 12 sites.

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Plans data collection and analysis, implementation of performance improvement initiatives, and re-monitoring outcome measures for various quality monitors in the laboratory.
• Analyzes emerging trends, software, and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals.
• Assists with the National Enforcement Program inspections.
• Assists in CAP/JC inspection readiness preparation and in the inspection process itself.
• Serves as the VISN expert for national software developers for testing and validating software packages.
• Ensures VISN wide compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to information systems, and performs audits as needed.
• Ensures laboratory adheres to all practices and regulations relating to Quality, including data collection, analysis, and graphic depictions of data when appropriate.
• Compiles and analyzes the data for P&LM performance measures and monitors as necessary and requested by the work groups needing data such as turnaround times.
• Manages the collection and interpretation of data for hospital and VISN QA programs and Performance Improvement (PI) initiatives and at the request of laboratory management.
• Participates as a member of the Laboratory Leadership Team.
• Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988.
• Provides instruction and coordination of teaching activities for Medical Technology students in order to fulfill the requirements of a NAACLS accredited CLS Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED):
  • A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: 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.

• Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12), which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples include, but are not limited to: Knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests; Instructing newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures; Advise on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing; Providing guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory and specific sections; Develop policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing; Training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned.

• Knowledge of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements sufficient to provide direction for complex diagnostic testing.
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems to accomplish diagnostic laboratory work and quality assurance.
• Skill in evaluating, interpreting, and teaching others to use quality control procedures to monitor variables that affect quality of services and implement corrective actions.
• Ability to apply laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing.
• Ability to develop new test procedures and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

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.