Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical) - Laboratory Information

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 is an INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT and is limited to current, permanent employees of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Laboratory Information System
  • Carries out day-to-day operations and responsible for the oversight of the laboratory information system, interfaces and data validation management for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
  • Independently manages the approved laboratory information system to create or modify tests/panels, rules sets, validates LIS new instrument/system connectivity, validates accuracy/integrity of test results transmission, accept/release or reject results that are held by the auto-verification rule sets and/or by laboratory policy.
  • Oversee and maintain instrument interfaces with the LIS and EHR. Properly tests and documents all installations, service, maintenance, and upgrades.
  • Facilitate training, installation, implementation, maintenance, and overall use of Laboratory Information System(s) for multi-facility laboratory sites including but not limited to, Minneapolis VAHCS, Twin Ports OPC, Sleep Center OPC and all associated CBOCs.
  • Consults with leadership to identify laboratory information testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopt appropriate methods.
  • Troubleshoot complex communication issues between the instrument and the laboratory information system and/or related applications.
  • Detects and promptly addresses and resolves disruptions in the laboratory service stemming from the software package, instrument interfaces, or middleware.
  • Implement and maintain coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording systems.
  • Uses critical thinking skills, informatics and data analytics tools (i.e. SQL, Power BI, CDW) to build reports, evaluate and interpret data and inform laboratory decisions to optimize workflow and clinical outcomes.
  • Responsible to support and assist other VA sites with troubleshooting the LIS.
  • Serves as a recognized expert to provide authoritative advice and consultation on the information system. Maintains and updates all regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements.
• Laboratory Operations & Leadership
  • Establish and maintain effective interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
  • Plans and schedules on-going work independently.
  • Chooses methods for achieving work goals, objectives, and management strategies.
  • Participates in strategic planning and various process improvement projects to enhance Pathology and Laboratory services.
  • Demonstrates effective communications skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively, asking pertinent questions where clarification is needed, even under difficult conditions, fostering a professional manner of communication appropriate to the situation. Nurtures cooperation between the laboratory and other areas of the healthcare system to meet laboratory testing needs
  • Communicates with national and/or VISN groups working on laboratory information systems to stay informed of upcoming changes, improvements, and problems.
  • Serve as the liaison between administration, clinical staff, and technical staff regarding the clinical, business, technical operations management processes associated with laboratory related hospital information system and laboratory applications.
  • Serves as the principle contact for all laboratory interactions with the facility Office of Information Technology (OIT) department and Clinical Applications Coordinators (CAC).
  • Advise all organizational levels on various aspects of the functions and capabilities of the information system.
• Quality Assurance
  • Develops technical guidance, procedures, training materials and other program materials, which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified.
  • Develops downtime and backup procedures for troubleshooting and restoration of disrupted laboratory information functions. Available to coordinate after hours and on weekends or holidays to coordinate when essential to maintain service.
  • Ensure compliance with local and national policies and procedures, and federal agency regulations. Works with local, VISN and national workgroups to develop work methods and policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Daytime Hours; No Weekend/Holidays; Occasional callback
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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.
• 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

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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.
  • 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:
  • 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-
  • 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 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Grade Determination:GS-13:

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (listed below) to fully perform at that grade level. GS-12 experience is defined as:

1. Knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medico-legal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
2. Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures.
3. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions.
4. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
5. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory.
6. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services.
2. Knowledge of compliance requirements sufficient to provide direction for complex diagnostic testing.
3. Knowledge of laboratory information systems to accomplish diagnostic laboratory work and quality assurance.
4. Skill in evaluating, interpreting, and teaching others to use quality control procedures to monitor variables that affect quality of services and implement corrective actions.
5. Ability to apply laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing.
6. Ability to develop new test procedures and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

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

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Preferred Experience: Experience with clinical laboratory information systems, electronic health records, and laboratory middleware system programming, testing and troubleshooting preferred.

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.

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
• *Highly Recommended* - Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement.
• Resume/CV exceeding two-pages
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps