Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator) at GS-12 to lead testing programs outside the main laboratory. This role ensures CLIA compliance, quality control, and professional guidance across ancillary sites.

The incumbent provides training, develops technical bulletins, and collaborates with leadership to identify testing needs, trends, and technology adoption in off-site facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options include MLS Generalist, MT Generalist, or ASCP/AMT credentials.
• Knowledge of CLIA, CAP, JCAHO and other regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Develops policies and procedures for ancillary testing outside the main laboratory.
• Serves as technical expert and provides training, troubleshooting, and quality assessment.
• Ensures accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies for patient testing and proficiency testing.
• Monitors continuous performance improvement initiatives and reports on QC activities.
• Coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition, and contracts for off-site testing.

Skills

Medical tech concepts

Quality control

Regulatory knowledge

Data interpretation

Teaching others

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

MLS/ MT Cert options

Job description

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.

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.

a. Citizenship.

Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

b. Education.

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below.

c. 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).

d. Physical Requirements.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

e. English Language Proficiency.

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Grade Determinations

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator), GS-12.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (A) Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory.
• (B) Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement.
• (C) 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.
• (D) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity.
• (E) Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing.
• (F) Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions.

Assignment

The CLS develops and recommends policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory) as mandated by VHA that include ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). The CLS consults with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs, analyzes emerging trends and technology, and adopts appropriate methods. The CLS serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation. The CLS develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials, and other program materials. The CLS ensures accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, results reporting, and proficiency testing. They also monitor and report on continuous performance improvement initiatives. This individual evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. They identify, define, and resolve issues associated with complex aspects of data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program. The CLS has knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies, and improves the program. The CLS develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition, and contracts

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The position is above full performance level.