Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; New Orleans (LA); Vor Ort; USD 78.000 - 105.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for GS-12 in a role that supports laboratory operations and quality management. The position references the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) and requires compliance with VA qualification standards and certification pathways.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher and hold MT/MLS or ASCP/AMT certifications. U.S. citizenship is required; preferred candidates will demonstrate leadership in quality assurance

Qualifikationen

• US Citizenship is required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is required.
• Certification: Generalist/MT/MLS or ASCP/AMT depending on the option chosen.

Ausbildung

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university

MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP) certification

Generalist/Categorical/Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT

Tools

ASCP/AMT certifications

Jobbeschreibung

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.

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.
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• 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.

Grandfathering Provision.

Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:(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.

Grade Determinations

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager), GS-12.

Experience

1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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

• (A) Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services.
• (B) Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations.
• (C) Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization.
• (D) Skill in applying laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures, and principles and safety practices and regulations.
• (E) Ability to apply quality management performance improvement principles, methodology, and processes to develop and manage a clinical laboratory quality management program.
• (F) Ability to apply statistical evaluation and analysis to quality assurance data and implement corrective actions when indicated.

Preferred Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science.
• MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP).
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing clinical laboratory quality assurance and quality improvement programs, including the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies to ensure ongoing compliance with national regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., CAP, The Joint Commission, CLIA).
• Extensive knowledge of advanced laboratory principles and practices across multiple disciplines, with a proven record of developing and overseeing corrective action plans, conducting root cause analyses, and implementing process changes to enhance laboratory performance and patient safety.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, mentoring laboratory staff, and providing education and training in quality management principles and best practices.

Reference

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.