Summary

The incumbent provides expert authoritative advice and consultation for more difficult - complex - or unique tests requiring special knowledge. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. The incumbent often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner.

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.) Certification
• (1) 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
• 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 - English Language Proficiency
• CLSs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience
• Must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge and understanding of concepts - principles - methodology of medical laboratory technology - regulatory and accrediting agency requirements - medico-legal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests
• Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures
• Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
• Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory
• Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section
• Assignment The CLS serves as a Technical Specialist CLS - providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge
• Examples include - but are not limited to - molecular pathology - gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy - and flow cytometry
• The CLS advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing - including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context
• The CLS advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing
• The CLS develops policies - precedents - regulatory - licensing - and accrediting requirements to establish - monitor - and maintain the specialized testing
• The CLS assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned
• The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner Preferred Experience: Minimum of five years (FULL TIME) experience in a High Complexity Transfusion Services (i.e. - trauma facility - reference blood bank - or equivalent) within the last ten years performing moderate and/or high complexity blood bank testing/procedures - or 3 years of solid blood bank experience (FULL TIME) as Lead Blood Bank Technologist within the last ten years
• substantial knowledge of standards and regulations for Blood Banks
• Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II - Appendix G24
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• These assignments require specialized training and experience
• Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance
• They have wide latitude for exercising independent judgement
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique - and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge
• Examples are - but not limited to core laboratory including chemistry - toxicology - immunology - hematology - coagulation - urinalysis - bone marrow examination - blood bank - microbiology - POC - etc
• Conduct studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area
• Recommends new/replacement instrumentation
• Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing - including appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information
• Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses
• Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed
• Identifies - defines - and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists
• Analyzes emerging trends and technology - and adopts appropriate methods and testing
• Applies laws - policies - precedents - regulatory - licensing - and accrediting requirements to establish - monitor - and maintain the specialized testing
• Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multi-faceted quality assurance program
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. - (May be asked to work weekends and holidays - if needed) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 593-07426F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized