Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Assistant LIM / Ancillary Testing Assistant position is located at Harry S Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, MO within the Pathology and Laboratory service line.

The duties for the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Assistant LIM / Ancillary Testing Assistant are, but not limited to:

• Provides authoritative advice and consultation on the information system as they apply to the clinical laboratory. Advises all organizational levels on function and capabilities of the LIS.
• Performs validation of instrument interfaces and VBECS blood administration software updates.
• Assists with maintenance of validation records for the service as required by accrediting agencies.
• Responsible for compliance with regulatory agency requirements as related to information systems and perform audits as needed.
• Provides consultation and training of personnel on computer functions, including ordering options, and assists with the maintenance of computer security keys.
• Advises all organizational levels on functions and capabilities of the LIS.
• Assists with implementation and maintenance of coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering, reporting, billing, and workload recording considering compliance principles.
• Analyzes emerging trends, software, and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals.
• Assists with the P&LMS computerized Document Control System and TempTrak monitoring system.
• Scans in documents for all areas of the laboratory and retrieves and archives documents.
• Revises SOPS and assists with all aspects of MediaLab.
• Provides consultative services to management at all levels of the organization as it applies to inventory management and contracting for supplies and services in a clinical laboratory setting.
• Interacts with management officials and organizations involved in contract management.
• Research clinical requirements for all laboratory disciplines and receives information from Technical Supervisors/Specialists sufficient to initiate, maintain and monitor contract requirements in a manner as to provide safety and efficiency of laboratory operations.
• Provides technical guidance for sections and writes statements of work, justification of sole source, and independent government estimates and conducts market research in conjunction with Technical Supervisors to maintain uninterrupted clinical laboratory supplies and services.
• Maintains all required contract documentation in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and ensures contracted services and supplies meet laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Ensures all contracts are audited and in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Initiates required documents for COR nomination, new laboratory contracts for supplies and services. Tracks contract funding, payments and follows up on audit discrepancies; informs the Laboratory Manager of any unexpected changes in contracting needs or funding in a timely manner to avoid ratifications, as much as it is in the Service's ability to do so.
• Trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals (Physicians, Nurses, and Residents) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact http://visn15edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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 physical 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

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.
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• 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

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
Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.
AND
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
(b) Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
(c) Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
(d) Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
(e) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
(f) 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.

Preferred Experience: This position requires a valid Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Technologist (MT), or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) given by American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), or American Medical Technologist (AMT).

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.

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:



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
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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