Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist (Laboratory Manager)

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.

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. (c) 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 (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer). Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program. OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in "Certification" above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed. 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).

Grade Determinations: Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Manager) GS-14 Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) which is directly related to the position to be filled. This is required for all GS-14 assignments. Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13): Spends 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision; performs major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty and variety. Supervises at least one staff member at the GS-12 grade level; Plans, directs, and assess work of subordinate staff; recommends appointments, awards, advancement, and disciplinary actions; Plans and assigns work based in priorities, requirements of assignments, and abilities of employees; provides advice and counsel; and evaluates work of subordinates Ensures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements; Establishes and monitors the quality of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes; Executes performance and quality improvement projects; Verifies orientation, training, and competency assessment of assigned staff and develops and updates technical policies and procedure manuals; Ensures all staff and affiliate staff comply with accrediting and regulating bodies; Adjusts staff levels or work procedures to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at the executive level; Manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements; Responsible for technical and administrative management of an assigned area including budget execution; Interacts with administrative and clinical onsite personnel and exercises significant independent decision-making authority; Maintains effective interdisciplinary and interprofessional relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) 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. (2) Skill in administrative management such as budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management in accordance with organizational (for example, VHA) regulations. (3) Ability to collaborate with other departments and upper management in a medical center or h