Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as technical lead for one or more sections of the clinical laboratory (e.g., Hematology, Coagulation, Chemistry, Blood Bank, Immunochemistry, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Pathology).
• Provide advanced technical expertise and problem-solving support to Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLSs), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs), and phlebotomists.
• Oversee daily workflow by assigning and balancing bench tasks, ensuring staff are efficiently utilized to meet workload demands.
• Coordinate staff rotations to maintain cross-training and competency across sections.
• Perform and review quality control procedures and maintain documentation in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Review and interpret test results, verify abnormal data, and ensure data accuracy in the VA Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Train or direct the training of lower-grade staff on new procedures, instruments, and techniques.
• Assist in the coordination of proficiency and competency assessments; assign proficiency testing (PT) surveys, review results for completeness, and monitor staff performance.
• Prepare, compile, and analyze quality improvement data and reports; attend service quality improvement meetings when requested.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting agencies such as CAP, Joint Commission (JC), and AABB, applying those standards in laboratory operations.
• Maintain section-specific documentation for quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs; identify and report discrepancies to the supervisor.
• Generate required reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) using the VA computer system and review for accuracy.
• Serve as a resource for staff on LIS functions, including data entry, test verification, and report generation.
• Monitor reagent and supply inventories, place routine and emergency orders, and ensure adequate stock for uninterrupted testing.
• Assist in developing and implementing new test protocols, correlating results, and ensuring adherence to established parameters.
• Train and support staff in the proper use and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation issues and coordinate repairs with Biomedical Engineering and vendor representatives.
• Evaluate and validate new equipment and methods before implementation; assist supervisors in equipment selection.
• Assist the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) with analyzer interfacing, autoverification setup, and data validation (dry/wet testing).
• Write and update section procedure manuals as directed by the immediate supervisor.
• Perform routine and specialized testing using manual and automated methods in assigned sections.
• Collect and prepare specimens (including venipuncture) while maintaining specimen integrity and physiologic state.
• Evaluate specimen suitability and request recollection when necessary.
• Prepare reagents and reference materials for use in testing procedures.
• Select, perform, and monitor complex and non-routine tests following established protocols.
• Recognize, troubleshoot, and correct instrument malfunctions and testing discrepancies.
• Interpret and correlate test results with patient clinical data to ensure validity.
• Perform quality control and participate in quality assurance programs to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.
• Document all test results and quality activities in compliance with laboratory standards.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0700-1530/rotating weekends/holidays
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA. ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, 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: N/A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93090-0
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): N/A

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 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 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

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Education:

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.).
• Certification: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. OR 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).

Grade Determinations:

GS-12 Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

This is the full performance level (FPL) for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) position assigned to the Clinical Testing Unit, Microbiology, or Pathology department within P&LMS at Dayton VAMC, Dayton, Ohio. The incumbent must meet the basic requirements and the additional Experience or Education requirements as defined in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard (GS-0644). The CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The incumbent performs a variety of delicate and complex tests on biological specimens and serves as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in all areas of Specimen Collection and Processing including send out testing, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Blood Gas, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Molecular, Histology, and Pathology.

Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:(a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

OR

(b) Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
Ability to coordinate staff development and training.
Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results.

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.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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:

• License
• Certification
• Resume
• 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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Clinical Resume/CV
• Certification
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps