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Summary The pathology and Laboratory service within the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System the is looking to recruit one (1) Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) to join the the pathology and Laboratory team located at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. Responsibilities A Clinical Laboratory Scientist is a certified laboratory professional who performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including, but not limited to, Hematology, Chemistry, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), Microbiology, Immunology, Cytogenetics, Anatomic Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Molecular Diagnostics, and Flow Cytometry. A CLS is responsible for performing the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory test. Major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following: Required to know all medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory. Required to know all mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement. Required to know all Federal, state, and VHA laws, regulations, reference standards, and certifying or accrediting agency requirements to carry out work in each ancillary testing site. Required to know laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity. Evaluates, interprets, and teaches others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions. Serves as a recognized technical authority, offering expert consultation on quality control/assurance, records management, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation for point of care (POC) testing across all organizational levels. Conducts travel to OKCVAHCS Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) for training, instrument installation, implementation, and to ensure adherence to quality standards for ancillary testing, with a minimum of quarterly visits to each CBOC. May be required to drive a government vehicle. Oversees proficiency testing (PT) for ancillary testing, including staff training on PT procedures, data entry into the CAP website, monitoring of PT practices, evaluation of PT reports, and investigation and submission of responses for unacceptable PT results. Manages reagent orders, receipt of incoming reagents, and ensure adherence to quality control procedures as per established policy. Maintains ATC contracts and process invoice payments through IPPS for items ordered under contract agreements. Validate new instrumentation in compliance with policy and regulatory requirements. Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of assigned laboratory and non-Laboratory staff. Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies. Consults with clinical program managers to identify ancillary testing needs and implement appropriate methods. Applies continuous quality improvement processes associated with all applicable POC programs. Coordinates with other staff assigned to assist the Ancillary Testing Coordinator. Responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established procedures, policies, and accreditation requirements. Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the ancillary testing management program where no direct precedent exists. Establishes competency criteria for a variety of individuals (physicians, residents, nurses, patients, students) in the performance of ancillary test procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently. Develops training and oversight which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning POC patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing for each ancillary testing sites. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 60606-A 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 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 / 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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university 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: (1) 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 (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. (A copy of letter is required at time application is submitted) 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). NOTE: Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. GS- 12 GRADE DETERMINATIONS. Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Coordinator), GS-12; Above the Full performance level Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-12 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities? 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 Preferred Experience: Experience in Point-of-Care/Ancillary Testing Oversight. Competency and Training Program Oversight. Quality Management and Regulatory Compliance. Data Management and Informatics 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain. 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.