Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration; Garner (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration seeks a Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (GS-12) to lead a team of MLS/MT staff and CLS, overseeing specimen collection, processing, testing, and quality control.

The incumbent must hold a bachelor's degree or higher, meet certification requirements, and have 1 year of experience at the next lower grade. Leadership and budget responsibilities are a core part of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university (unofficial transcript required).
• Certification options include MLS Generalist or MT Generalist (ASCP BOC/AMT) or categorical/specialist; certification must be provided.
• 1 year of creditable experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent is required for all GS-12 assignments.
• Knowledge of federal/state laws and regulatory requirements for laboratory operations.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a staff of nonsupervisory personnel (MLS/MT/CLS) and oversee specimen collection, processing, testing, and QC activities.
• Develop plans and procedures for the laboratory in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and train staff.
• Plan, organize, set goals, and conduct studies on technical/administrative problems including personnel shortages and new technology.
• Manage fiscal matters, forecast resources, and administer the budget.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Clinical laboratory technology

Interpersonal relations

Staff management

Strategic planning

Budget administration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

The incumbent at this level has full supervisory responsibility for a staff of nonsupervisory personnel, including GS‑5 Medical Technicians (Phlebotomists), GS‑7 Medical Laboratory Technicians, and at least one GS‑11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist. The incumbent performs the full range of supervisory duties for specimen collection, specimen processing, testing operations, and quality control activities of the laboratory. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: An unofficial transcript must be provided.
• Certification. (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. NOTE: Certification must be provided.
  • 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).

Grade Determinations

Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, 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 Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.

(B) 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.

(C) Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations.

(D) Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.

(E) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

(F) Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

(G) Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

Preferred Experience:

2 years CLS (Clinical Laboratory Scientist) experience within the past 5 years.

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-12

Physical Requirements:

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires mostly periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients/residents who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on stakeholder needs.