Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Responsible for the performance of a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist profession. Oversees the performance of advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles according to established policies and procedures. Plans and schedules on-going work. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures. Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications. Assures orientation, training, and competency assessment of staff to meet regulatory requirements. Implements and monitors quality management activities. Provides corrective action when desired results are not achieved. Performs the full range of supervisory duties. Recommends appointment, plans, and assigns work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates. Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies. Works in conjunction with department leadership to eliminate waste and variation while increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of laboratory and hospital operations. Assists in identification and selection of methods that will provide standardized work and assure the proper application of standards set by accrediting bodies that include JC, CLIA, and CAP. Incumbentwill develop, select, and practice techniques that provide for efficient and effective processes as directed. Works within the laboratory sections to assure P&LMS performance measures are met. Incumbent will proactively engage in accomplishing successful facility/service measures (e.g. STAT turnaround times, provider and patient satisfaction surveys, critical values etc.). Ensures instrumentation, reagents, supplies, instruments, and the laboratory environment are maintained at the appropriate temperature, humidity, and atmosphere as applicable and appropriate. Knows how to address alerts and document out-of-range parameters using the facility's temperature monitoring computer program. Understands the laboratory's contingency plan and the need to inform the manager or designee of any issues. Submit work orders as needed. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis. Instructs and assists staff in specimen problem handling according to service procedures. Operates, calibrates, trouble-shoots malfunctions and repairs. Performs and documents preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment, as needed. Monitors and documents the oversight of all instrument functions. Analyzes and diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction and documents appropriately. Educates staff on instrument issues and solutions. Oversees the department Quality Control Program and implementation. Reviews, performs, and documents quality control and corrective actions for consistent quality test results. Supervisors will help define process quality issues, measure current process performance, analyze root cause defects, and will help develop targeted process improvement opportunities. Supervisors will coach, mentor, and train employees concerning initiatives focused on the sustained improvement of department processes. Supervisors will facilitate the integration of process improvement practices within the department and drive a culture for sustained and continuous improvement. Supervisors will interface directly with the laboratory process improvement team to drive process improvement strategy and to achieve process improvement objectives effectively/efficiently. Identifies and troubleshoots test discrepancies, solves problems, and presents unresolved issues and solutions to management. Enters and completes incident reports for process improvement. Evaluates action and correlates data. Reports test results timely. Monitors and reviews test tum-around-times data. Takes appropriate corrective action to prevent delays. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30 am - 3:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21897F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8_EDRP_BAYPINES@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 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. 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. 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: 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 The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed. Certification-Documentation Required - 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). Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-13 General. For all GS-13 assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments. Experience. One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12. The CLS has full supervisory responsibility in a laboratory where at least three of the five following conditions are met outlined below; 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. The laboratory performs at least one million standard billable tests annually (as reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program). The CLS supervises a staff of non-supervisory personnel including at least one GS-12 subordinate. Lack of on-site pathologist. Oversight of more than one laboratory specialty. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. 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. Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result inefficient laboratory operation. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in multiple clinical laboratory sections to include Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Pre-Analytical Services. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. . Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are moderate. The work includes the ability to maneuver in and behind instrumentation for troubleshooting and maintenance procedures. Some work is sedentary (4-7 hrs.) with periods of walking (2 hrs.), bending and or kneeling (3hr), lifting and carrying of reagents, equipment, and files (15-44 lbs.). There may be some extended periods of standing (6-8 hrs.); near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid (permitted); emotional stability; ability to hear whispered voice; the use of fingers is required including typing (4-6 Hrs.); reaching above shoulder; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination required. 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.