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Summary Incumbent serves as a Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center and perform the full range of supervisory duties for GS-12 employees and below and also one or more sections of the laboratory: including responsibility for assignment of work performed; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancement, disciplinary actions; identification of continuing education and training needs. Responsibilities 1. The Supervisor performs the full range of supervisory duties and is responsible for the overall supervision of the section(s) specified. 2. Takes responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the section, sets short and long-term goals, prepares work schedules and assigns duties and provides instruction to subordinates to assure efficient and timely performance of all tests and procedures. . Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. Collaborates with other supervisors in completing the laboratory scheduling process. 3. Works as a CLS as needed and accomplishes duties specifically assigned to subordinates to ensure continuity of clinical testing services. 4. Ensures that all employees under his/her supervision are aware of and abide by the appropriate hospital and laboratory safety regulations. Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the section. 5. Assists employees in obtaining continuing education and determining their training needs. Ensures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff upon initial test performance and annually thereafter. 6. Ensures that all specimens are processed and tested in a timely and efficient manner with minimal error. Reviews test results, determines if additional information is needed for clarification of test results and/or to establish a definitive diagnosis, and consults with physicians on additional tests as necessary. Ensures that significantly abnormal results are brought to a physician's attention through other than normal channels (i.e. critical values). 7. Implements and monitors quality management activities and establishes quality assurance programs designed to measure the care, calibration, standardization, and use of equipment in the section. Controls the collection of data and prepares final reports for the section administrative reports. Knowledgeably exercises judgment in selecting the most reliable procedures to be followed when presented with specimens submitted under varying conditions. 8. Implements the performance of proficiency testing (PT) and documents corrective action taken on out-of-range survey results. Assigns, collates and submits data for PT providers, and reviews and critiques survey responses. 9. In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, establishes policies and procedures within the section that comply with the guidelines of appropriate regulatory and accrediting agencies. Assures that all standards of accrediting agencies are practiced at all times in the sections, and that the sections will qualify for accreditation. 10. Develops and maintains procedure manuals for all testing done in the section. Reviews and updates the same to ensure compliance with all accreditation requirements. The Supervisor is responsible for upgrading techniques and procedures by evaluating and implementing the use of new methodologies and instrumentation in the section. Trains lower subordinates in the use of new procedures and instrumentation. 11. Must be able to clearly convey malfunctioning problems and maintain continuous vigilance over the operation and care of all equipment. Calibrates, adjusts and performs manufacturer directed repairs on departmental instrumentation. 12. Serves as a point of contact for persons outside the service to inform, mediate, investigate or solve problems and complaints, and conduct business. Persons outside the service includes care providers (physicians, nurses, physician assistants), vendor and equipment sales and service representatives and other hospital employees including those from engineering, personnel, security, pharmacy and others. The Supervisor must be courteous and professional and encourage subordinate staff to conduct themselves likewise. 13. When assigned to the position of Blood Bank Supervisor: Prepares documents for the purchase of blood supplies, maintains proper blood product inventory levels. Maintains an adequate inventory of blood and blood components at all times so that shortages do not occur during emergency situations. Documents and maintains permanent records of patient transfusions and of the receipt and final disposition of all blood and blood components. Generates a written monthly report for the Tissue and Transfusion Committee giving a summary of blood utilization and transfusion practices. 14. Responsible for the generation of the laboratory results from his/her area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Should possess basic personal computer skills, particularly the ability to use programs for word processing, spreadsheets and data management. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5:00 pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: 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. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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). (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements. 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. (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. (c) 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). Grade Determinations: Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-13 Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-13 assignments. The CLS has full supervisory responsibility in a laboratory where at least three of the five following conditions are met outlined below in (A) - (E). (A) Lab is a complexity level index group 1 or 2 based on the Hospital Complexity Level as designated in Office of Productivity, Efficiency, and Staffing (OPES) VHA Facility Complexity Model History. (B) The laboratory performs at least one million standard billable tests annually (as reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program). (C) The CLS supervises a staff of non-supervisory personnel including at least one GS-12 subordinate. (D) Lack of on-site pathologist. (E) Oversight of more than one laboratory specialty. Assignment. The CLS must supervise at least one staff member at the GS-12 grade level. The supervisory CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff. The supervisory CLS 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. The supervisor ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and establishes and monitors the quality of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, initiating corrective actions as needed as part of the overall laboratory quality management program. The supervisory CLS plans and executes performance and quality improvement projects. The supervisory CLS verifies orientation, training, and competency assessment of assigned staff and develops and updates technical policies and procedure manuals. The supervisory CLS ensures all staff and affiliate staff comply with accrediting and regulating bodies. The supervisory CLS adjusts staffing levels or work procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level. This individual manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements and is responsible for technical and administrative management of an assigned area including budget execution. The supervisory CLS interacts with administrative and clinical onsite personnel and exercises significant independent decision-making authority. The supervisory CLS maintains effective interdisciplinary and interprofessional relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) 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. (A) 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. (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) Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. (D) 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. (E) Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient laboratory operation. (F) Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. (G) 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13 . Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (under 15 pounds); Light Carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; Both hands required for fine-manipulation and simple grasping; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to8 hours); sitting (up to 8 hours); near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of color. 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.