Summary

The CLS develops and recommends policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements - ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities. The CLS consults with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs - analyzes emerging trends and technology - and adopts appropriate methods. Recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice - training - troubleshooting - quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification - Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT - MLS - or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC - ASCP-BOR - or AMT.(2) For positions up to the full performance level - candidates must currently possess the categorical or specialist technologist level certification from the certification agencies listed above - such as - but not limited to - chemistry (C/SC) - hematology (H/SH) - microbiology (M/SM) - molecular biology (MB/SMB) and blood bank (BB/SBB)
• Technologists with categorical or specialist certifications may only perform duties within the area of the laboratory specific to their categorical certification (e
• g. - an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry)
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of medical technology concepts - principles - practices - and methodologies sufficient to perform full oversight and guidance for testing programs outside of the laboratory
• (B) Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control - quality assurance - proficiency testing - inspection and accreditation - and continuous quality improvement
• (C) 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
• (D) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and interconnectivity
• (E) Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing
• (F) Ability to evaluate - interpret - and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions
• Assignment
• The CLS develops and recommends policies and procedures for procurement and service requirements for ancillary testing (testing outside the physical confines of the main laboratory) as mandated by VHA that include ensuring CLIA licenses are maintained for off-site facilities such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)
• The CLS consults with leadership of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs - analyzes emerging trends and technology - and adopts appropriate methods
• The CLS serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice - training - troubleshooting - quality assessment and ancillary testing program consultation
• The CLS develops technical bulletins - procedures - training materials - and other program materials
• The CLS ensures accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing - results reporting - and proficiency testing
• They also monitor and report on continuous performance improvement initiatives
• This individual evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines
• They identify - define - and resolve issues associated with complex aspects of data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program
• The CLS has knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements and performs and evaluates instruments - performs validation studies - recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies - and improves the program
• The CLS develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management - supply acquisition - and contracts
• Preferred Experience: 3 years of Point of Care experience 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: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (1-2 hours)
• Standing (1-3 hours)
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The CLS advises all organizational levels on functions and capabilities of the LIS
• The individual implements and maintains coding and mapping for laboratory test ordering - reporting - billing - and workload recording while considering compliance principles
• The CLS analyzes emerging trends - software - and technology and adopts appropriate methods for local programs to meet agency goals
• Duties may include but are not limited to: Develop technical bulletins - procedures - training materials - and other program materials
• Ensures accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing - results reporting - and proficiency testing
• Monitor and report on continuous performance improvement initiatives
• Identify - define - and resolve issues associated with complex aspects of data and problems
• Develop and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified and coordinates inventory management - supply acquisition - and contracts
• Responsible for laboratory continuous readiness for regulating agency inspections and accreditation from agencies such as the Joint Commission (JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
• Creates - applies - and monitors reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives - both within the program and/or the organization
• Monitors laboratory quality control systems and performance indicators
• Identifies - defines - and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the collected data and ensures the validity of data in relation to the test systems
• Develops technical bulletins - procedures - training materials and other program materials - which ensure accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies concerning patient testing - result reporting - and proficiency testing including reports - monitors and continuous performance improvement initiatives
• Develop and implement corrective action when deficiencies are identified
• Maintains a laboratory quality management program and ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback
• Many of the responsibilities are self-initiated - such as identifying and correcting problems - and identifying ways of improving the efficiency of the service
• Independently plans and carries out the procedure necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors
• Accountable to the Laboratory Manager and or Chief - P&LMS
• The incumbent works independently
• supervision is mainly advisory in nature
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday-Friday 0700-1530 (Weekends and holidays rare but possible) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 593-07384-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized