Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Laboratory Information Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Cincinnati, OH

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is hiring a Clinical Laboratory Scientist serving as the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. The role develops and recommends policies and procedures for installing and using the laboratory information system (LIS) in conjunction with the hospital information system (HIS). It supports information systems across Central Lab, Reference Lab, Data Innovations, Ancillary Testing, Anatomic Pathology, Blood Bank, Phlebotomy, and Microbiology.

The LIM installs, configures, and implements data-management solutions and interfaces linking the HIS with laboratory instruments, analyzers, medical devices, point-of-care instruments, referral laboratory equipment, and barcode label printers at the main facility and community-based outpatient clinics. The position also supports Instrument Manager decision-support rules, laboratory coding and mapping, information-system analysis and advice, implementation measurement, quality assurance, training, software testing, and information security and contingency planning. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be authorized; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• One of the following certifications: MLS Generalist certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; MT Generalist certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-12, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11 as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, using knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current Clinical Laboratory Scientist practices.
• Knowledge of clinical laboratory technology concepts, principles, and methods 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 into specific laboratory applications and processes, including office-automation software.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet applicable background/security investigation and onboarding requirements; selected applicants are subject to required drug screening and influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• One to three years of Clinical Laboratory Scientist experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and implement data-management solutions and interfaces between the HIS and laboratory instruments, analyzers, medical devices, point-of-care instruments, referral laboratory equipment, and barcode label printers.
• Provide LIM support across Central Lab, Reference Lab, Data Innovations, Ancillary Testing, Anatomic Pathology, Blood Bank, Phlebotomy, and Microbiology.
• Develop, deploy, and maintain Instrument Manager decision-support algorithms (rules).
• Implement and maintain coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems.
• Analyze emerging trends, software, and technology and adopt appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals.
• Advise organizational levels on information-system functions and capabilities.
• Establish baseline measures using standardized data-collection, analysis, and reporting methodologies before and after implementation.
• Prepare requested reports and provide delegated monthly quality-assurance data, including monitoring and follow-up.
• Provide authoritative advice, training, and consultation as an information-system expert.
• Participate in and support the VISN-wide software implementation advisory group.
• Ensure testing and deadline compliance for software upgrades, information-security upgrades, and patches, including audit-trail documentation.
• Liaise among administration, clinical staff, and technical staff regarding clinical, business, and technical operations-management processes for laboratory applications and CPRS.
• Serve as the Privacy Liaison for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service.
• Ensure local compliance with information and cybersecurity requirements, including maintaining the computer downtime contingency plan, inventory and critical-device lists, quarterly computer-access reviews, and annual contingency testing and reporting.
• Assist with ADPAC-related duties as backup to the primary ADPAC.
• Test and verify released patches for functionality before moving them into the production account.
• Serve as the local expert for national software developers conducting alpha or beta testing of software packages.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Childcare subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program/student loan repayment may be approved.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior