Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist

Duties
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Duties and tasks include but are not limited to the following:

Demonstrates knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory.
Demonstrates 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.
Maintains skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution.
Demonstrates ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for the assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
Demonstrates 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.
Demonstrates ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
Demonstrates ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient laboratory operation.
Oversees daily operation of the section, ensuring that agency policies and priorities are followed, that all specimens are processed, assayed, and results verified and released in a timely and efficient manner.
Develops performance standards, communicates these standards and progress in meeting these standards to subordinates and evaluates the work performance of subordinates.
Supervises the day-to-day operation of the Hematology/Blood Bank section, prepares work schedules, and assigns duties to subordinates to ensure efficient and timely performance of all tests and procedures.
The incumbent gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to the Lab Manager or Director as appropriate.
The incumbent effects progressive disciplinary actions as necessary and informs laboratory management of all disciplinary action taken.
The incumbent reviews and approves leave of subordinate employees as appropriate, ensuring minimal necessary coverage of the area is always maintained.
The incumbent interviews candidates for positions within the section and recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to positions. Performs reference checks and all other required hiring procedures.
Identifies and provides for training needs and evaluates processes to identify ways to improve efficiency, production, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the section.
Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis, requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen for analysis according to established procedures. Follows established procedure for handling of mislabeled, unlabeled, or unsuitable specimens.
Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by a provider and accurately accessions and receives specimens, maintaining correct patient identification throughout each phase of processing, analysis, and resulting.
Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrective action.
Conducts quality control procedures on instrumentation, equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Performs initial quality control of all incoming reagents and supplies as required.

Requirements
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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.
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.

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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
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.
Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.
NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).