Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager)

Veterans Health Administration•Wyoming, MI

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager) develops and recommends policies and procedures for installing and using the laboratory information system (LIS) in conjunction with the hospital information system (HIS). The role provides authoritative advice on LIS functions and capabilities and supports laboratory information systems, quality management, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, and patient safety. The incumbent implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording; analyzes emerging software and technology; and tests and validates software packages. The position supports laboratory accreditation and regulatory readiness, advises and trains staff, maintains computer security keys, and conducts audits as needed. It also oversees quality management activities, including monitoring laboratory performance, reviewing policies, evaluating procedures, developing quality assurance measures, and supporting root cause analyses and corrective action plans. This is a GS-12 position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, with limited non-citizen appointment exceptions where recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under applicable law.
Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Meet one of the specified certification options: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT. A qualifying grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
For GS-12, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Knowledge of clinical laboratory technology concepts, principles, and methodology in relation to laboratory information systems.
Knowledge of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization.
Knowledge of laboratory computer systems sufficient to implement laboratory-associated packages and sustain laboratory system operations.
Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions.
Ability to adapt, implement, and integrate software for specific laboratory applications and processes, including office automation software.
Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and complete assignments effectively.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements.
Meet pre-employment requirements, including drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as VA health care personnel.
Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Advise organizational staff at all levels about LIS functions and capabilities.
Implement and maintain coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording, while considering compliance requirements.
Analyze emerging trends, software, and technology and adopt appropriate methods to meet agency goals.
Serve as the local expert for national software developers in testing and validating software packages.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to information systems and perform audits as needed.
Consult with and train personnel on computer functions, including ordering options, and maintain computer security keys.
Provide consulting, facilitation, training, and technical advice to staff to support compliance with clinical laboratory accreditation and regulatory standards.
Maintain continuous laboratory readiness and support organizational performance improvement and patient safety programs.
Maintain a laboratory performance improvement program, monitor its components and customer feedback, and interact with management and organizations involved in inter-laboratory quality assurance and proficiency testing.
Develop, implement, and perform quality management policy reviews.
Advise laboratory management about quality management concerns that could affect other services and assist with follow-up.
Identify laboratory functions needing improvement and develop plans with relevant individuals to implement and monitor changes.
Use statistical evaluation and analysis while applying knowledge of laboratory operations and the laboratory’s relationship to the organization.
Follow laboratory quality control and assurance practices based on policies, procedures, and principles.
Evaluate and implement techniques and procedures for laboratory quality, including validation plans for equipment, method comparisons, and reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge.
Provide oversight, guidance, and advice in developing quality assurance monitors and focused reviews.
Provide consultative services for laboratory-related root cause analyses, health care failure mode and effects analyses, and sentinel events; develop action plans and outcome measures.
Establish processes to monitor policy compliance, identify patterns and trends, and use quality management and performance improvement findings to redesign systems.
Implement surveillance procedures to monitor variables affecting service quality.
Evaluate and interpret quality control procedures, teach others to use them, and implement corrective actions.