Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist leads the Hematology, Coagulation, and Urinalysis sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. The position oversees section operations and supervises staff, ensuring that specimens are processed, tested, verified, and reported accurately and on time. It is responsible for the technical and administrative management of an assigned area, including budget execution, document control, contracts, and compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements.

The incumbent establishes and monitors laboratory quality processes, initiates corrective actions, and plans and executes performance and quality-improvement projects. The role also verifies staff orientation, training, and competency assessments; maintains training documentation and technical manuals; and develops performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements. The supervisor coordinates staffing and work assignments, advises and evaluates employees, and exercises independent judgment in resolving operational and personnel matters. The position works with onsite administrative and clinical personnel and maintains interdisciplinary relationships to support medical center goals.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated limited exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or a related science.
• 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, subject to the stated limitations on categorical or specialist credentials.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level for GS-13 assignments.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accreditation, and regulatory requirements sufficient to develop policies and guidelines, formulate plans, and assess operations.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality-management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a quality-management program and/or staff education and training.
• Interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including work assignment, performance evaluation, staff selection, and recommendations concerning awards, advancement, and discipline.
• Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems and implement solutions that support efficient laboratory operations.
• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget.
• Ability to set short- and/or long-term goals and conduct studies of technical and administrative issues, including staffing shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement for VA healthcare personnel.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding; selected applicants are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis drug screening.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Foreign education must meet the stated equivalency requirements; foreign transcripts and a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency may be required for credit.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of the Hematology, Coagulation, and Urinalysis sections, ensuring specimens are processed, assayed, verified, and released accurately and in a timely manner.
• Plan, direct, and assess the work of subordinate staff; assign duties, prepare schedules, and adjust staffing or procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions.
• Develop and communicate performance standards, evaluate employee performance, and advise, counsel, and instruct employees on work and administrative matters.
• Recommend appointments, promotions, reassignments, awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions; interview candidates, perform reference checks, and complete required hiring procedures.
• Hear and resolve minor employee complaints, refer serious unresolved complaints or group grievances to laboratory management, and take progressive disciplinary action when necessary.
• Review and approve subordinate employees’ leave while maintaining necessary operational coverage.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting agencies, regulatory requirements, agency policies, and applicable procedures.
• Establish and monitor quality management for pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, and initiate corrective actions as needed.
• Plan and execute performance and quality-improvement projects; identify opportunities to improve efficiency, production, cost-effectiveness, and quality.
• Verify staff orientation, training, and competency assessments; identify training needs and provide training to employees, students, medical students, residents, providers, nursing staff, and other healthcare employees.
• Maintain employee training manuals and documentation, ensure required employee certifications are maintained, and develop and update technical policies and procedure manuals.
• Manage document control, develop performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements, and handle technical and administrative management of the assigned area, including budget execution.
• Act as a Contracting Officer’s Representative and perform duties needed to establish and maintain required section contracts.
• Track patient test results, slides, and paperwork in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, administer the allocated budget, and set short- or long-term section goals.
• Analyze technical, organizational, and administrative problems and implement solutions that support efficient laboratory operations.
• Maintain effective interdisciplinary and interprofessional relations with other services and collaborate with onsite administrative and clinical personnel.

Benefits

• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award amounts may be up to $200,000 for a period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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