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 in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.)
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• 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
• 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: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Experience
• (1) Creditable Experience
• To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current CLS practices
• The experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a CLS in the health care field
• Research laboratory experience does not fulfill this requirement
• (2) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek
• For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a half-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• (3) Quality of Experience
• Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to CLS experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled
• For all assignments above the full performance level (FPL), the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity, and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement: GS-13 Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) is required
• This experience may include but is not limited to
• 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
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans, and judge effectiveness of the operation
• 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
• Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution
• Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions
• Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient laboratory operation
• Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget
• Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology
• Preferred Experience: 1+ years of supervisory experience Supervisory Duties: 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 must supervise at least one staff member at the GS-12 grade level
• The supervisory CLS exercises a full range of supervisory responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.