Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent employees of the Veterans Healthcare Administration, other federal agencies, and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties include but not limited to:
Assures that all specimens are processed, tested and results verified and released in a timely and efficient manner with a minimal of errors.
Is knowledgeable and participates in specimen procurement for all specimen types within their section.
Reviews results for correctness as required by the accreditation body, directs involved techs in the correction of errors, and notifies attending physicians.
Provides technical guidance to lower graded personnel when quality control or instrument problems occur. Assists and resolves issues that may occur during specimen procurement.
Designs and prepares appropriate instrument maintenance logs, reviews these logs monthly, and assures that proper routine maintenance is being done by techs.
Writes and updates or supervises the writing and updates of procedure manuals in evening/night shifts.
Evaluates and implements the use of new methodologies and instrumentation in the identified sections.
Trains/directs the training of lower grade technicians/technologists in the use of new procedures and instrumentation in the identified Sections.
Serves as mentor and trainer for new staff members and students from affiliated training programs on areas of expertise.
Works as a technologist as needed and accomplishes duties specifically assigned to the CLS in the sections supervised.
Performs as needed all manual and automated tests applicable to Evening/Night Shifts outlined in the procedure manuals and the automated tests accomplished on the respective pieces of laboratory testing equipment located in each Section.
Calibrates, standardizes, and adjusts instruments; verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks; and identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.
Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of assigned Sections. Position may require the incumbent to maintain a government credit card for routine or emergency purchases and if required to maintain a credit card and comply with all Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures; correlates quantitative data with patient data, to verify results; performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results; and recognizes abnormal results which require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
Works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities show a need
Responsible for maintaining the laboratory work area in a clean and safe environment..
Ensures adherence to all mandatory continuing education hours, training modules, and additional educational requirements set by the facility, while verifying compliance among all supervised staff.
Obtains and maintains current CPR certification by established standards.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm or 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm, with rotating holidays. Occasional weekend cover may be needed.
Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): authorized
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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: ad-hoc authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 564-01388-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 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

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.

Grade Determinations: Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12.
Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower GS 11 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 Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
(B) Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or the education and training of laboratory staff.
(C) Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations.
(D) Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
(E) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
(F) Ability to plan, organize, set short and/or long-term goals, and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology. (G) Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

Preferred Experience: Possess experience consisting of supervisory duties, training, managing or leading others.

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: 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: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials. Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors. Work is performed in a laboratory setting; 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.

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:

• Resume

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.

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)
• Resume more than 2 pages
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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