Podiatrist Service Chief (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (P&LM) Service provides a broad range of testing and consultative services in laboratory medicine anatomic and clinical pathology every day at the Seattle Campus. Services for the American Lake campus laboratory which offers access to the same pathology services and clinical laboratory onsite. Overall P&LM offers client services chemistry toxicology hematology coagulation urinalysis transfusion serology microbiology molecular microbiology cytology including fine needle aspiration autopsy surgical pathology including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy and point of care testing oversight at multiple locations.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Supervising the work of subordinate staff engaged in professional managerial technical and other lab support activities; monitoring work performance; delegating work effectively.
• Analyzing a variety of complex laboratory issues and making sound clinical recommendations.
• Planning developing and coordinating quality control and quality improvement programs.
• Utilizing technology tools including computer hardware and software to efficiently perform duties; assisting with and coordinating the improvement of such tools.
• Overseeing activities of clinical laboratory medicine both anatomic and clinical pathology sections and providing supervision of the Laboratory Manager Quality Manager and Section Chiefs.
• Overseeing the quality of services performed by contracted commercial reference laboratories.
• Defining metrics and ensuring a program of routine monitoring and quality improvement for processes both internal and external to P&LMS.
• Ensuring P&LM staff receive adequate initial and periodic training and proficiency or competence assessment.
• Providing consultation and guidance to health care providers regarding matters pertaining to pathology and laboratory medicine and the medical significance of laboratory findings.
• Identifying and overseeing all testing performed within the facility and outreach clinics and providing assistance and oversight to ensure that any testing performed complies with existing VHA policies to include oversight responsibility for Ancillary Testing Sites and participating in the evaluation of test appropriateness for the institution regardless of the testing site. The VA Medical Centers Ancillary Testing Coordinator or other staff appointed by the Laboratory Director must provide quality improvement oversight in each Ancillary Testing Site.
• Performing site visits of the American Lake Laboratory and community-based outpatient clinics where laboratory services are offered at least quarterly and as needed to maintain high-quality services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM.
Telework: Not authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Pay: Competitive salary annual performance bonus regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave 13 days of sick leave 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
CME: Possible $1000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.
• Must have an unrestricted State Drivers License and be cleared upon hire to drive a government vehicle.

Podiatrist Basic Requirements

• Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine or its equivalent from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. AND
• Completed or currently completing residency training or its equivalent approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education the Council on Podiatric Medical Education in the list published for the year the residency was completed or (2) Other residencies and training experiences or their equivalents which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. AND
• Currently hold or will hold a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• Current valid state-issued Drivers License is required for this position. Proof of license and insurance will be required.

Additional Requirement:

• Must be board-certified in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Experience:

• Experience in leadership roles involving operations planning and supervision within a tertiary care environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in the academic mission of education and research is preferred.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4 hours); standing (4 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); operation of crane truck tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit: