Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. 1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System employees including satellites; 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - current/past Health Professional Trainees (HPTs); and 4th Area of Consideration - all other applicants based on Veterans' Preference

In addition to the duties and functions of a Full Performance Level Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), the incumbent serves as the Quality Manager for the Service. The Quality Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring quality management programs to ensure laboratory services meet all regulatory and accreditation standards. They lead quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives, analyze data to identify trends and drive corrective actions, and oversee document control and proficiency testing programs.

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Develops, implements, reviews, and facilitates the planning of quality management policies and procedures for the laboratory.
• Measures physician, nursing, and patient satisfaction with laboratory services.
• Evaluates and implements new techniques/procedures, including development of validation plans using statistical methods.
• Identifies areas requiring improvement or deficiencies, proposes solutions, develops implementation plans, monitors progress, and evaluates outcomes.
• Formulates measures for data collection and analysis to assist or correct problem areas.
• Advises laboratory management on quality management concerns impacting other services and assists with follow-up.
• Applies statistical evaluation and analysis to QA data; performs trend analysis, standard deviation, and corrective actions as indicated.
• Responds to national accreditation agencies {including VHA Clinical Laboratory Scientist Quality and Compliance Agent), VISN inquiries, surveys, and questionnaires.
• Acts as Laboratory Safety Officer; maintains safety, chemical hygiene, and infection control policies.
• Provides education and training to all laboratory staff in technical competencies, including data collection, analysis, and relevant statistical methods.
• Maintains competency in at least one laboratory section (Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology/Molecular, Point of Care Testing) and performs testing as assigned.
• Ensures compliance and documentation of accreditation requirements (CAP, TJC, FDA, etc.).
• Manages proficiency testing programs and coordinates analysis of survey data.
• Provides quarterly and/or annual quality reports to the Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Pathology Laboratory Manager.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 07:30am-4:00pm with occasional weekends and holidays; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 01596-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact Christopher.Billiot@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment 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
  • 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.

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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager), GS-12.

Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(A) Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services.
(B) Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations.
(C) Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization.
(D) Skill in applying laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures, and principles and safety practices and regulations.
(E) Ability to apply quality management performance improvement principles, methodology, and processes to develop and manage a clinical laboratory quality management program.
(F) Ability to apply statistical evaluation and analysis to quality assurance data and implement corrective actions when indicated.

Preferred Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science.
• MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP).
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing clinical laboratory quality assurance and quality improvement programs, including the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies to ensure ongoing compliance with national regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., CAP, The Joint Commission, CLIA).
• Extensive knowledge of advanced laboratory principles and practices across multiple disciplines, with a proven record of developing and overseeing corrective action plans, conducting root cause analyses, and implementing process changes to enhance laboratory performance and patient safety.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, mentoring laboratory staff, and providing education and training in quality management principles and best practices.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, 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 in sometimes stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

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

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
2. All other VA employees
3. Current Permanent Federal employees of other agencies
4. VHA HPTs
5. All other applicants

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on the Veterans' Preference

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:

• Generalist certification as an MLS or MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT; OR Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Resume
• Transcript

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.

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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• CV/Resume
• Generalist certification as an MLS or MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT; OR Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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