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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. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs the full range of supervisory duties for one or more sections of the Clinical Laboratory (which can range from Hematology/Coagulation at the G.V (Sonny) Montgomery VAMC. The duties of the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist include, but are not limited to the following: Responsible for the overall supervision of assigned clinical laboratory department. Plans, schedules, and explains on-going work; adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies. Supervises day-to-day operation of test performance for all specimens received in the assigned clinical laboratory department. Establishes the pre- and post-analytic test processes to assure acceptable levels of performance. Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of all staff working in their area. Coordinates training in the methodology and techniques of assigned Clinical Laboratory testing area(s). Acts as liaison to other departments of the Medical Center for specimen collection, processing, and testing concerns; fields telephone calls from providers and process "add-on test requests" after confirming specimen adequacy. Prepares and updates technical and other procedural manuals for all assigned clinical laboratory sections and instrumentation as needed. Implements and monitors quality management activities of assigned Clinical Laboratory testing area(s). Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies such as CAP, JC, AABB, FDA and OSHA. Assures the work performed in the section(s) follows JVAMC Safety guidelines, Infection Control policies and VHA directives, etc. Responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in specimen processing and testing; presents recommendations to higher lab management for review and implementation. Performs the full range of supervisory duties; gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates. Assures corrective action is initiated when specimen collections, processing or test performance deviates from established performance specifications or SOP(s). Documents and resolves pre-analytic, analytical and post-analytical specimen and testing problems from in/outpatient collection sites. Prepares reports, maintains records and administrative information as required. Responsible for consulting Employee Health and the Human Resources ER/LR Specialist in any episode of staff impairment or Reasonable Suspicion of drug or alcohol use by current laboratory employees. Works with the P&LMS Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) to establish new tests in VISTA and update the comprehensive test listings. Participates in external CAP inspections for other health care facilities. (Occasional Travel required). Serves as a Fund control point Clerk and or Approving Official, having authority to receive equipment and purchase items required by the laboratory in performance of daily operations with approval of the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist/, Assistant Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Manager or Chief, PLMS. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Ronda Eady at [email protected], 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 (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 586-01342F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 medical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certification. (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT; or (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT; or (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. (Accepting Hematology & Coagulation Categorical certification only!) 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). Grade Determinations: Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12: Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Experience at the GS-11 level include: (a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work. (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. (c) Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes. (d) Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation. (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. (f) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions. (g) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for the GS-12 level: (A) Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory. (B) 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. (C) Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations. (D) Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. (E) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. (F) Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology. (G) Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Preferred Experience: Possess experience in Hematology, Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist and have leadership skills. 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-12. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. 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 Receiving Service Credit or 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.