Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • West Roxbury, MA

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist works in Pathology and Laboratory Services at the VA Boston Healthcare System’s West Roxbury, Massachusetts location. This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The role plans, directs, and assesses the work of subordinate staff, including at least one staff member at the GS-12 level, and exercises the full range of supervisory responsibilities.

The supervisor oversees day-to-day performance of highly complex laboratory testing and specimen examinations, ensuring testing meets performance specifications and specimen requirements. The position manages staffing, staff development and assessment, quality management, technical procedures, supplies, and the technical and administrative operation of an assigned laboratory area. The incumbent works with clinical and administrative colleagues to support patient care and medical center goals. The role is not authorized for telework or a virtual work arrangement; travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics may be required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• One of the accepted certifications: MLS generalist certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; MT generalist certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or an applicable ASCP or AMT categorical or specialist certification.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to GS-12.
• Experience supervising at least one staff member at the GS-12 grade level.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, and laboratory accreditation and regulatory requirements, sufficient to develop policies and guidelines and evaluate operations.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality management principles and procedures sufficient to establish and monitor a quality management program and/or laboratory staff education and training.
• Interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including assigning work, evaluating performance, selecting staff, and recommending awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• 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 section goals and conduct studies addressing technical and administrative issues, including staffing, organizational structure, and new technology.
• Meet applicable pre-employment, background/security, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements; a trial period of one or two years applies.
• Submit a transcript if relying on education to meet qualification requirements; foreign education requires a certificate of foreign equivalency.

Nice To Haves

• Blood banking experience.
• Previous supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule ongoing work, assign duties according to priorities and employee abilities, and adjust staffing levels or work procedures as needed.
• Supervise highly complex testing and specimen examinations, monitor test analyses, and ensure appropriate specimen requirements are met for in-house and reference laboratory testing.
• Initiate corrective action when test performance deviates from established specifications and establish and monitor quality management activities across laboratory processes.
• Ensure staff orientation, training, competency assessment, and continuing education requirements are met.
• Perform supervisory duties, including advising and counseling employees, evaluating work and performance, selecting staff, recommending appointments, awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions, approving annual and sick leave, and posting timecards.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting agencies, regulatory requirements, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Plan and execute performance and quality improvement projects; develop and update technical policies, procedures, manuals, performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements; and manage document control.
• Design and prepare instrument maintenance logs and quality-control charts, review them monthly, and ensure routine maintenance and corrective actions are performed.
• Evaluate and establish protocols and procedures for new instrumentation, methodologies, and laboratory procedures.
• Manage the technical and administrative operation of the assigned area, including budget execution, fiscal and resource management, and forecasting equipment and resource needs.
• Maintain adequate supplies and reagents for efficient department operations.
• Serve as a laboratory liaison with other clinical services and maintain effective interdisciplinary relationships with clinical and administrative personnel.
• Consult with physicians and nurses to clarify test results or recommend additional tests that may aid diagnosis or treatment.
• Set short- and long-term goals for the section and analyze technical, administrative, staffing, organizational, and technology-related issues to develop solutions.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): eligible participants may receive student loan reimbursement up to $200,000, subject to program approval, eligibility requirements, and a one-to-five-year eligibility period.
• 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.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements; up to 25% of eligible costs, with a stated monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.

What This Job Offers

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