Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Manager)

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 identification 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. A bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
  • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grandfathering Provision. 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed the following provisions apply:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.

Grade Determinations:
Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist(Laboratory) GS-14:

1. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) is required for all GS-14 assignments. Experience at the next lower grade includes:

• Knowledge of regulatory licensing accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning implementing and monitoring laboratory programs and services.
• Skill in problem solving and applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to measure and improve program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity.
• Skill to develop new or modified work methods organizational structures records and files management processes and staffing patterns.
• Skill in administrative management such as budgeting contracting procurement and property management in accordance with VHA regulations.
• Ability to balance administrative and clinical functions to coordinate and manage programs and resources.
• Ability to plan and execute short-range and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior managers in a medical center or health care setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices (for example VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff).

2. GS-14 Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of concepts principles and methodologies of a major clinical laboratory program and operations to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations personnel and management.
• Skill in administrative management such as budgeting contracting procurement and property management in accordance with organizational (for example VHA) regulations.
• Ability to collaborate with other departments and upper management in a medical center or health care setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices such as VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff.
• Ability to plan and execute short- and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/ strategic planning.
• Ability to provide advisory planning and surveillance services to clinicians laboratory directors and supervisors on specific functions programs or problems that are particularly difficult widespread or persistent.
• Ability to solve complex problems involving unique or controversial aspects of medical technology or laboratory management new or unconventional methods program changes or conflicts between scientific/technological requirements and regulatory or program requirements.
• Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including responsibility for assignment of work performance evaluations selection of staff and recommendation of awards advancements and disciplinary actions.

3. Assignment. The supervisory CLS serves as the Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager). For all supervisory assignments 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 CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning directing and assessing work of subordinate staff. The CLS provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine including research agency policies new techniques and procedures. The CLS develops guidelines assesses laboratory effectiveness and establishes and maintains quality assurance and quality management programs. The CLS consults with or serves as a consultant for local network and national programs and/or officials. The CLS manages regulatory affairs and compliance and develops and manages program budget and resource usage inventory acquisition and contracting processes. They assist and participate in educational programs affiliated with institutions providing training for individuals in laboratory or other related medical fields of study.

Preferred Experience: Possess strong supervisory experience in a clinical laboratory laboratory setting including staff competency assessment and performance evaluation. Preference will be given to applicants with comprehensive knowledge of the VistA Laboratory package including test/build/creation LEDI interfaces connectivity troubleshooting Data Innovations middleware and auto verification processes. Demonstrate experience with contracting procedures; DSS mapping and pathology productivity reporting; LMIP; and budget related activities such as 2237s and 4Cast. Strong working knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards (CAP AABB TJC CLIA OIG OSHA FDA) is essential along with experience managing CAP administrative functions including CAP order applications and website maintenance.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.