Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Reno seeks a Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of laboratory staff. You will assign tasks based on priorities and staff abilities, provide guidance, and review performance to maintain standards.

The role ensures compliance with accrediting bodies and regulatory requirements and monitors the quality of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes to deliver accurate results.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed per VA policy.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college/university.
• Generalist or Specialist certification by ASCP BOC/AMT.
• 1 year of creditable experience at the next lower grade is required for GS-13.
• Preferred: 5 years of Micro experience with at least 3 years supervisory.
• Knowledge of laws, quality management, budgeting and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and assess staff work and assign priorities.
• Provide advice, counsel, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and monitor quality across pre-, intra-, and post- analytical processes.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Regulatory knowledge

Quality management

Policy development

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing and assessing work of subordinate staff. Assigns work based on priorities, requirements of assignments, and abilities of employees; provides advice and counsel, evaluates work of subordinates. Ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and establishes and monitors the quality of pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical processes.

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: 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: (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).

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.

NOTE:

This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements.

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:

• (1) 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.
• (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

Physical Requirements:

In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Experience.

1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-13 assignments.

• (a) Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-13. 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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 in efficient 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:

Have at least 5 years of Micro experience with at least 3 years being supervisory.

Reference:

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-13.