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Summary The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Regional Technical Specialist) position is located at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, 5000 S 5th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141. Responsibilities 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. Work Schedule: Fulltime; Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08061F 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. 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. 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: 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. GS-13 Grade Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. 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. GS-13 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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 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.