Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: 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
• Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-13

• 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.
• The higher-level duties must include:
• Labs are a complexity level index group 1 or 2 based on the Hospital Complexity Level as designated in OPES VHA Facility Complexity Model
• The laboratory performs at least one million standard billable tests annually (as reported to the Laboratory Management Index Program)
• The Clinical Laboratory Scientist 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

Duties

• Oversees daily operation of the section, ensuring that agency policies and priorities are followed, that all specimens are processed, assayed, and results are verified and released in a timely and efficient manner.
• Develops performance standards, communicates these standards and progress in meeting these standards to subordinates, and evaluates the work performance of subordinates.
• Serves over the Hematology - Coagulation - and Urinalysis sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard LRoudebush VA Medical Center.
• Supervises the day-to-day operation of the section, prepares work schedules, and assigns duties to subordinates to ensure efficient and timely performance of all tests and procedures.
• Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.
• Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to the Lab Manager or Director as appropriate.
• Effects progressive disciplinary actions as necessary and informs laboratory management of all disciplinary action taken.
• Reviews and approves leave of subordinate employees as appropriate, ensuring minimal necessary coverage of the area is maintained at all times.
• Interviews candidates for positions within the section and recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to positions.
• Performs reference checks and all other required hiring procedures.
• Identifies and provides for training needs and evaluates processes to identify ways to improve efficiency, production, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the section.
• Affects progressive disciplinary actions as necessary and informs laboratory management of all disciplinary action taken.
• Acts as a Contracting Officer's Representative and performs all duties required to establish and maintain required contracts within the section.
• Takes initiative to solve problems without assistance or transferring of responsibility unless justified.
• Maintains a positive attitude, willingness to work as part of a team, and is supportive of coworkers.
• Collaborates and works well with others.
• Able to respond and adapt to new processes, procedures, or equipment.
• Willing to make changes to improve service.
• Maintains accountability for tracking of all patient test results, slides, and paperwork appropriately and according to all applicable policies and procedures.
• Provides professional and effective training to new employees, students, medical students, residents, providers, nursing, and other healthcare employees.
• Maintains all employee training manuals and ensures all documentation is present for each employee and that employee certification is maintained as required by regulatory and medical center requirements.
• Directs and conducts verifications and validations for new instrumentation, equipment, reagents, or tests brought into the laboratory.

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience

Benefits

• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Learn more

Qualifications

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date.

Program Approval

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.