Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Manager)

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current, permanent Department of Veteran Affairs department employees of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at Martinsburg VAMC. 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 are not limited to:

• Co-manages the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service with the PLMS Medical Director and is directly accountable to the PLMS Medical Director.
• Works independently; supervision is only advisory in nature.
• Provides first line supervision to multiple GS-13 Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist and secondary supervision to all other Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Phlebotomists, and Clerical personnel.
• Responsible for the management of all service fund control points and contracts
• Responsible for completion of all computer work assignments, creation of all interface routines, and maintaining appropriate interface connectivity and computer functions
• Responsible for Consulting with and informing the PLMS Medical Director of major problems and decisions affecting any area of the lab.
• Receives some assignments of a general nature form the PLMS Medical Director
• Manages regulatory affairs and compliance.
• Develops guidelines; assesses laboratory effectiveness, and establishes and maintains quality assurance and quality management programs.
• Assist and participates in educational programs affiliated with institutions providing training for individuals in laboratory or other related medical fields of study.
• Develops and integrates new techniques, and procedures into laboratory programs.
• Develops and recommends new policies and procedures regarding the installation and use of the laboratory information systems (LIS) or the hospital information system (HIS).

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00AM- 4:30PM
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator 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: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD25184F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements

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 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.
• 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.

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).

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:
Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist(Laboratory), GS-14:

1. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) is required for all GS-14 assignments. Experience at the next lower grade includes:

• Knowledge of regulatory, licensing, accrediting agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations used in planning, implementing, and monitoring laboratory programs and services.
• Skill in problem solving and applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to measure and improve program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity.
• Skill to develop new or modified work methods, organizational structures, records and files, management processes, and staffing patterns.
• Skill in administrative management such as budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management in accordance with VHA regulations.
• Ability to balance administrative and clinical functions to coordinate and manage programs and resources.
• Ability to plan and execute short-range and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning.
• Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, technical information with a wide variety of individuals including senior managers in a medical center or health care setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices (for example, VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff).

2. GS-14 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodologies of a major clinical laboratory program and operations to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations, personnel, and management.
• Skill in administrative management such as budgeting, contracting, procurement, and property management in accordance with organizational (for example, VHA) regulations.
• Ability to collaborate with other departments and upper management in a medical center or health care setting or higher-level managers in regional or national offices such as VISN-level staff and VHA Central Office staff.
• Ability to plan and execute short- and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/ strategic planning.
• Ability to provide advisory, planning, and surveillance services to clinicians, laboratory directors, and supervisors on specific functions, programs, or problems that are particularly difficult, widespread, or persistent.
• Ability to solve complex problems involving unique or controversial aspects of medical technology or laboratory management, new or unconventional methods, program changes or conflicts between scientific/technological requirements and regulatory or program requirements.
• Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

3. Assignment. The supervisory CLS serves as the Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager). For all supervisory assignments the CLS must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety. The CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff. The CLS provides guidance and serves as an authority and subject matter expert on laboratory medicine including research, agency policies, new techniques, and procedures. The CLS develops guidelines, assesses laboratory effectiveness, and establishes and maintains quality assurance and quality management programs. The CLS consults with or serves as a consultant for local, network, and national programs and/or officials. The CLS manages regulatory affairs and compliance and develops and manages program budget and resource usage, inventory, acquisition, and contracting processes. They assist and participate in educational programs affiliated with institutions providing training for individuals in laboratory or other related medical fields of study.

Preferred Experience: Possess strong supervisory experience in a clinical laboratory laboratory setting including staff competency assessment and performance evaluation. Preference will be given to applicants with comprehensive knowledge of the VistA Laboratory package, including test/build/creation, LEDI interfaces, connectivity troubleshooting, Data Innovations middleware, and auto verification processes. Demonstrate experience with contracting procedures; DSS mapping and pathology productivity reporting; LMIP; and budget related activities such as 2237s and 4Cast. Strong working knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards (CAP, AABB, TJC, CLIA, OIG, OSHA, FDA) is essential, along with experience managing CAP administrative functions, including CAP order, applications, and website maintenance.

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-14.

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
• 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
• Generalist certification as a MLS OR MT given by ASCP BOC or AMT OR Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.
• Upload full resume/CV (no page limit)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps