Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Mobile, AL

7d

About The Position

The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist provides direct supervision to employees performing duties that support the Safety and Occupational Health Program and the Gulf Coast VA Health Care Systems, and serves as an active member of the P&LMS Management Team. The incumbent makes decisions on work problems, collaborates with other supervisors on work-related changes affecting the laboratory and other units, and advises the Chief, P&LMS and other management officials about section problems and their impact.

The position combines technical laboratory work with section supervision. Duties include performing complex laboratory analyses and infrequently requested non-standard tests; evaluating abnormal results; maintaining and troubleshooting equipment; and establishing and monitoring quality-control programs. The incumbent oversees the quality of analytical processes, initiates corrective actions, manages document control, and reviews proficiency survey results, patient reports, instrument maintenance logs, operational checklists, and quality-control results.

The role includes professional and administrative oversight of laboratory operations, including fiscal and resource management; developing performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements; maintaining effective interdepartmental relations; and attending conferences and seminars to review policies, procedures, techniques, and new methods. The incumbent may represent the laboratory on medical center committees and may manage Vista applications, including initial problem solving, information security, database maintenance, and liaison with IMS regarding laboratory software and workflow.

This is a full-time federal position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the tour may change based on facility needs. Telework may be authorized depending on facility needs, but the position is not virtual. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and application requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet one of the accepted certification options: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical/specialist certification from ASCP or AMT, subject to the stated limitations for categorical and specialist certifications.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting-agency requirements sufficient to develop laboratory plans and procedures.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality-management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor quality programs and/or staff education and training.
• Knowledge of clinical laboratory technology and operations, including their concepts, principles, and methods.
• Leadership skills, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
• 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 plan, organize, set short- and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems.
• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass required background/security investigation and pre-employment physical evaluation; testing-designated applicants are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation; males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after the trial period.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results; and work with laboratory informatics, data flow, and processes.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of regular and recurrent exertion, including prolonged standing, bending over microscopes and instruments, walking, and lifting.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise employees performing duties supporting the Safety and Occupational Health Program and Gulf Coast VA Health Care Systems.
• Serve as an active member of the P&LMS Management Team and advise the Chief, P&LMS and other management officials on section problems and their impact.
• Make decisions on work problems and collaborate with other supervisors to coordinate work-related changes affecting the laboratory and other units.
• Perform complex laboratory analyses and infrequently requested non-standard tests, evaluate abnormal results, and use and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Establish and monitor quality-control programs and the quality of all phases of analytical processes; initiate corrective actions.
• Manage document control and develop performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements.
• Provide professional and administrative oversight of laboratory operations, including fiscal and resource management.
• Maintain effective interdepartmental relations to support medical center goals.
• Review laboratory proficiency survey results, daily patient reports, instrument maintenance logs, operational checklists, and quality-control results.
• Attend conferences and seminars, review professional and technical literature, and evaluate new procedures and techniques.
• Represent the laboratory on medical center committees when called upon.
• Manage Vista applications when called upon, including initial problem solving, information security, database management and maintenance, and liaison with IMS on laboratory software and workflow.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (student loan payment reimbursement), subject to eligibility and approval; award amount may be up to $200,000.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 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 experience.
• 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.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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