Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent employees of the facility/CBOCs where this vacancy is located Veterans Healthcare Systems of the Ozarks

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) serves as the Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) and Backup Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) for VHSO. This dual-role position ensures the quality, compliance, and functionality of both point-of-care/ancillary testing and laboratory information systems across the medical center and its affiliated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

The duties of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - Ancillary Testing Coordinator may include but are not limited to:

• Serves as the technical supervisor for quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation for ancillary testing on a hospital-wide basis and oversees the safe and accurate testing of outreach functions in the clinic(s)
• Develops and maintains new policies and procedures for ancillary testing activities
• Ensures compliance with CLIA, CAP, TJC, and VHA Directive 1106
• Coordinates training and competency assessments for all non-laboratory personnel performing testing
• Oversees and ensures accurate documentation of training and competency assessments for all non-laboratory personnel involved in patient testing
• Oversees proficiency testing, ensures timely submission and documents and implements corrective actions
• Maintains documentation for quality control, proficiency testing, and instrument validation
• Reviews and monitors daily middleware/manual results, critical values, connectivity, inventory, provider-performed testing notes, QC, temperature logs, maintenance records, calibration verification, correlation studies, safety inspections, pipette calibration, CAP PT orders, procedure and IQCP reviews
• Coordinates with CORs for contracted CBOCs to ensure compliance with laboratory policies and directives
• Maintains CLIA documentation and submits updates to the NEO office as required
• Ensures compliance with CLIA, CAP, TJC, and VHA Directive 1106
• Assesses data needed, designs data collection procedures, identifies quality assurance monitors and indicators, and reviews all data analyzed with the Chief of service
• Performs statistical analysis (variations, standard deviation, trend analysis) on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action
• Serves as the designated backup to the primary LIM
• Serves as a recognized expert to provide authoritative advice and consultation on the information system
• Assists in LIS test builds, coding, mapping, and validation
• Supports LIS-related training, troubleshooting, and system upgrades
• Participates in software testing and validation with national developers
• Ensures LIS compliance with regulatory and security standards
• Collaborates with IT, BioMed, and vendors on middleware and interface issues
• Carries out day-to-day operations related to laboratory computer use
• Ensures that current mandatory hours of continuing education, training modules and additional education hours required by facility are complete
• Serves as mentor and trainer for new staff members and students from affiliated training programs on areas of expertise
• Maintains technical competency in core laboratory areas (e.g., Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank)
• Participates in inspections, quality improvement initiatives, and staff training
• Serves as the subject matter expert on assigned Sections within P&LMS for the facility

Work Schedule: 7:00 am - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, Subject to change based on the needs of the Service
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
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)
Telework: Available for Telework - AD Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 01501-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 medical evaluation.
• 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 interest. In 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.

Qualifications

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 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.

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.

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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator), GS-12
Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory.
2. Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement.
3. Knowledge of Federal, state, and VHA laws, regulations, reference standards, and certifying or accrediting agency requirements to carry out work in each ancillary testing site.
4. Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity.
5. Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing.
6. Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions.

Preferred Experience:

• Coordinating point of care or ancillary testing programs, including training and competency oversight.
• Ensuring CLIA, CAP, TJC, and VHA regulatory compliance and preparing for inspections.
• Managing quality control, proficiency testing, and related documentation.
• Performing statistical analysis of QC and implementing corrective actions.
• Supporting or managing LIS functions, including test builds, validation, and troubleshooting.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation, see duty section for essential duties of this position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once and sometimes stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• License
• CV/Resume
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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