Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Orlando, FL

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist provides technical, professional, and administrative leadership for the Receiving/Referral Esoteric Testing/Distribution Laboratory Section at the main Hospital Medical Center facility in Orlando, Florida. The role oversees the operation of a high-complexity, group 1a laboratory processing more than one million tests annually and manages a large laboratory staff, including direct supervision of at least one GS-12 subordinate. The position oversees workflow, staff training and competency, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance, and provides education to healthcare providers on collecting highly specialized reference tests and resolving testing problems.

The incumbent serves as a technical supervisor for personnel, quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, accreditation, and nonconformance events for assigned laboratory specialties. They coordinate test instrument and method acquisition and verification, select appropriate methods for a high-volume laboratory, and calibrate, maintain, and verify laboratory instruments and equipment. The role also manages administrative reports, fiscal matters, budget, contracts, property, procedure manuals, and supply inventory, and serves as a subject matter expert for reference laboratory contracts. The position may serve as a Contracting Officer Representative for those contracts.

This is a permanent federal position with a Monday–Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Ad-hoc telework is available; the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, or qualifying equivalent foreign education.
• Generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; Generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or an accepted categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT applicable to the laboratory assignment. Grandfathering provisions may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level for a GS-13 assignment.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, 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 staff education and training.
• Interpersonal relations and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including assigning work, evaluating performance, selecting staff, and recommending awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions.
• Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems and implement solutions that improve laboratory operations.
• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget.
• Ability to set short- and long-term goals and conduct studies addressing technical and administrative issues.
• Must spend at least 25% of time providing administrative and technical supervision and supervise at least one GS-12 staff member.
• Must meet VA employment conditions, including applicable background/security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions, physical examination, seasonal influenza vaccination, onboarding, identification, and trial-period requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Prior supervisory experience.
• Four or more years of full-time experience in clinical laboratory specialties such as core lab, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, serology, chemistry, endocrinology, toxicology, special chemistry, body fluids, or immunology.
• Strong knowledge and experience in laboratory management and supervision, quality assurance, quality-control oversight, and laboratory regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership skills suited to a dynamic, high-volume healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule ongoing work and huddles, assign bench work, and adjust staffing or procedures to support efficient workflow.
• Choose methods to achieve work goals, objectives, and management strategies.
• Ensure staff orientation, training, and competency assessment; conduct personnel actions and annual performance ratings as needed.
• Monitor test analyses and specimen examinations, report nonconformance events, and ensure corrective action when performance deviates from established specifications.
• Develop and approve position descriptions, functional statements, performance standards, and competency programs.
• Advise and counsel staff and serve as a consultant to the Laboratory Manager, pathologists, and Chief of P&LMS on programs and policies.
• Provide technical supervision for personnel, quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspections, accreditation, and nonconformance events in assigned specialties.
• Coordinate acquisition and verification plans for instruments and methods with the Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Director, and/or pathologists.
• Select appropriate instruments, methodologies, and procedures for a high-volume laboratory while considering patient needs.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment; verify operation, identify common problems, and ensure corrective actions and repairs are completed.
• Prepare administrative reports and manage fiscal matters, budgets, contracting, and property within assigned sections.
• Maintain current procedure manuals; monitor and forecast reagent and testing inventory, order clinical laboratory supplies, and follow up on standing orders.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for reference laboratory contracts and assist with invoice reconciliation; may serve as Contracting Officer Representative.
• Plan and execute performance and quality improvement projects and maintain compliance with accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Manage document control and budget execution, forecast resource and equipment needs, and make decisions to support efficient laboratory operations.
• Maintain effective interdisciplinary and interprofessional relationships with other services to accomplish medical center goals.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student-loan payment reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval; award may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for the employee and family, with eligibility dependent on position type.

What This Job Offers

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