Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval , award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. EDUCATION: Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ . RESPONSIBILITIES: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) serves as the Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) and Backup Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) for VHSO. This dual-role position ensures the quality, compliance, and functionality of both point-of-care/ancillary testing and laboratory information systems across the medical center and its affiliated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

The duties of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - Ancillary Testing Coordinator may include but are not limited to:

Serves as the technical supervisor for quality control, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation for ancillary testing on a hospital-wide basis and oversees the safe and accurate testing of outreach functions in the clinic(s)

Develops and maintains new policies and procedures for ancillary testing activities

Ensures compliance with CLIA, CAP, TJC, and VHA Directive 1106

Coordinates training and competency assessments for all non-laboratory personnel performing testing

Oversees and ensures accurate documentation of training and competency assessments for all non-laboratory personnel involved in patient testing

Oversees proficiency testing, ensures timely submission and documents and implements corrective actions

Maintains documentation for quality control, proficiency testing, and instrument validation

Reviews and monitors daily middleware/manual results, critical values, connectivity, inventory, provider-performed testing notes, QC, temperature logs, maintenance records, calibration verification, correlation studies, safety inspections, pipette calibration, CAP PT orders, procedure and IQCP reviews

Coordinates with CORs for contracted CBOCs to ensure compliance with laboratory policies and directives

Maintains CLIA documentation and submits updates to the NEO office as required

Ensures compliance with CLIA, CAP, TJC, and VHA Directive 1106

Assesses data needed, designs data collection procedures, identifies quality assurance monitors and indicators, and reviews all data analyzed with the Chief of service

Performs statistical analysis (variations, standard deviation, trend analysis) on quality control and quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and take corrective action

Serves as the designated backup to the primary LIM

Serves as a recognized expert to provide authoritative advice and consultation on the information system

Assists in LIS test builds, coding, mapping, and validation

Supports LIS-related training, troubleshooting, and system upgrades

Participates in software testing and validation with national developers

Ensures LIS compliance with regulatory and security standards

Collaborates with IT, BioMed, and vendors on middleware and interface issues

Carries out day-to-day operations related to laboratory computer use

Ensures that current mandatory hours of continuing education, training modules and additional education hours required by facility are complete

Serves as mentor and trainer for new staff members and students from affiliated training programs on areas of expertise

Maintains technical competency in core laboratory areas (e.g., Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank)

Participates in inspections, quality improvement initiatives, and staff training

Serves as the subject matter expert on assigned Sections within P&LMS for the facility

Work Schedule : 7:00 am - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, Subject to change based on the needs of the Service

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, 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 : Available for Telework - AD Hoc

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 01501-F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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.

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 : Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator), GS-12

Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.

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

Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory.

Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing, inspection and accreditation, and continuous quality improvement.

Knowledge of Federal, state, and VHA laws, regulations, reference standards, and certifying or accrediting agency requirements to carry out work in each ancillary testing site.

Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity.

Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing.

Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions.

Preferred Experience:

Coordinating point of care or ancillary testing programs, including training and competency oversight.

Ensuring CLIA, CAP, TJC, and VHA regulatory compliance and preparing for inspections.

Managing quality control, proficiency testing, and related documentation.

Performing statistical analysis of QC and implementing corrective actions.

Supporting or managing LIS functions, including test builds, validation, and troubleshooting.

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.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation, see duty section for essential duties of this position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once and sometimes stressful situations. SALARY: QuantitativeValue EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Other

Salary : $417