Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for the laboratory as mandated by Handbook 1106.1 Serves as a recognized technical expert (technical consultant or technical supervisor as mandated by CLIA) to provide authoritative advice and testing program consultation in quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization. Ensures all laboratory sections adhere to the departmental quality assurance plan. Ensures quality assurance reports are submitted, evaluated, and presented to the CLIA director. Evaluate laboratory testing activities to assess compliance with established protocols and guidelines. Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program. Creates, applies, and monitors reengineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives within the program and the organization. Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of the data and ensures data validity with the test systems. Consult with supervisors to identify laboratory testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology. Identifies, defines, and resolves problems associated with unique or controversial aspects of the laboratory testing management program where no direct precedent exists. 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. Develops and implements corrective action when deficiencies are identified. Represents laboratory on appropriate medical center committees and interacts with other medical center staff, such as the Medical Center Quality Management staff, physicians, nurses, and the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 700 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 - Clinical Laboratory Scientist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. 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. Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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 Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) given by American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) or American Medical Technologist (AMT). Generalist certification as an Medical Technologist (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). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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 5 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. NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager), GS-12. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services. Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. Skill in applying laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures, and principles and safety practices and regulations. Ability to apply quality management performance improvement principles, methodology, and processes to develop and manage a clinical laboratory quality management program. Ability to apply statistical evaluation and analysis to quality assurance data and implement corrective actions when indicated. Preferred Experience: Experience with accreditation standards such as CLIA, TJC, CAP, AABB, and FDA. Experience includes providing leadership and guidance to staff to ensure that quality policies, processes, and procedures are established, current, and adhered to by all staff. Experience implementing a laboratory quality assurance program to meet CLIA requirements. Experience managing internal and external audit processes and responding to audit findings and external assessments; proficiency testing programs; document control systems; competency assessment and training. Experience analyzing data, identifying trends, monitoring prevention and corrective actions of quality deviations with recommendations for resolution, including developing reports for management utilizing technical knowledge and laboratory experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. Additional Information "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.