Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration•Lexington, KY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing (Testing outside the main laboratory as mandated by Handbook 1106.1) equipment and instrumentation. Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies. Ensures CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). Knowledgeable of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies, and improve the program. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition, and contracts. Trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals (physicians, residents, nurses, patients, and assigned staff) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently. Serves as a recognized technical expert (technical consultant or technical supervisor as mandated by CLIA) to provide authoritative advice and ancillary testing program consultation in areas of quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program. Creates, applies, and monitors reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives, both within the program and/or the organization. Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems. Consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods. Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the ancillary testing management program where no direct precedent exists. Assures orientation, training, and competency assessments of assigned staff. Plans and schedules on-going work adjusts work procedures as necessary. Performs the full range of supervisory duties. Recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates. Is responsible for the contracting of services within their section. Designated as the for these contracts. Is responsible for budgeting, managing, and maintaining funds relative to their sections as a part of the Service's control point. Develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Interacts with administrative and clinical onsite personnel and exercises significant independent decision-making authority. Performs any other duties which are in the best interest of patient care and deemed necessary by the supervisor. Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT (Note: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments).
1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) is required for GS-13.
The CLS has full supervisory responsibility in a laboratory where at least three of the following conditions are met: Lab is a complexity level index group 1 or 2, performs at least one million standard billable tests annually, supervises a staff of non-supervisory personnel including at least one GS-12 subordinate, lack of on-site pathologist, or oversight of more than one laboratory specialty.
Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans, and judge effectiveness of the operation.
Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or the education and training of laboratory staff.
Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient laboratory operation.
Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology.

Nice To Haves

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable.
Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted.
Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
The CLS must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety.
The supervisory CLS must supervise at least one staff member at the GS-12 grade level.
The supervisory CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff.
The supervisory CLS recommends appointments, awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions.
The supervisor ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and establishes and monitors the quality of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, initiating corrective actions as needed as part of the overall laboratory quality management program.
The supervisory CLS plans and executes performance and quality improvement projects.
The supervisory CLS verifies orientation, training, and competency assessment of assigned staff and develops and updates technical policies and procedure manuals.
The supervisory CLS ensures all staff and affiliate staff comply with accrediting and regulating bodies.
The supervisory CLS adjusts staffing levels or work procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level.
This individual manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements and is responsible for technical and administrative management of an assigned area including budget execution.
The supervisory CLS maintains effective interdisciplinary and interprofessional relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing equipment and instrumentation.
Ensures the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies.
Ensures CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC).
Performs and evaluates instruments, performs validation studies, recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies, and improve the program.
Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management, supply acquisition, and contracts.
Trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results.
Serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice and ancillary testing program consultation in areas of quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation.
Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines.
Creates, applies, and monitors reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives.
Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems.
Consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods.
Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the ancillary testing management program where no direct precedent exists.
Assures orientation, training, and competency assessments of assigned staff.
Plans and schedules on-going work adjusts work procedures as necessary.
Performs the full range of supervisory duties.
Recommends appointment, plans and assigns work, gives advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates.
Is responsible for the contracting of services within their section.
Is responsible for budgeting, managing, and maintaining funds relative to their sections.
Develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing.
Interacts with administrative and clinical onsite personnel and exercises significant independent decision-making authority.
Performs any other duties which are in the best interest of patient care and deemed necessary by the supervisor.