Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - 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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

**The cut off for the first applicant list is September 19 - 2025 with subsequent applicant lists sent as needed until vacancies are filled**

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: Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• 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
• NOTE: Possession of a certification identified below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Certification
• Candidates must meet one of the following 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
• NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist (Blood Bank) GS-12 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• Your experience must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory
• 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
• Knowledge of concepts - principles - and methods of clinical laboratory technology and operations
• Skill in applying leadership principles such as interpersonal relations and conflict resolution
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties - which includes responsibility for assignment of work - performance evaluations - selection of staff - recommendation of awards - advancements - and disciplinary actions
• 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
• Ability to manage fiscal matters - forecast resource and equipment needs - and administer the allocated budget
• Preferred Experience: Minimum 5 years of Blood Bank experience with understanding knowledge - skills and ability of supervisory responsibilities including regulatory requirement - turn-around time - instruments - writing SOPs - bidirectional communication with internal and external customers - excellent communication with direct supervisor and subordinates - accreditation process and quality management
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• ****THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT**** This is an open continuous announcement until December 31st - 2025
• Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available
• Serves as Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist in the Blood Bank section at the VA New Jersey Healthcare system campus in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service
• P & LM Service of the VANJHCS processes specimen for one level 1 complexity facility is on East Orange campus - Blood draw from Lyons as well as 9 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
• The incumbent at this level has full supervisory responsibility for staff of nonsupervisory personnel - including GS-07-09-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist - or at least 1 subordinate team leader or supervisor at the next lower grade level
• The incumbent recommends appointment - plans - and assigns work - gives advice and counsel - and evaluates work of subordinates for the Blood Bank section of PLMS and Supervisory CLS off-tour as assigned
• Plans and schedules on-going work
• Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures
• Chooses methods for achieving work goals - objectives and management strategies
• Responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance
• assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications
• Approves and certifies Annual Leave (AL) and Sick Leave (SL) for the Pay Period
• Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications
• Assures orientation - training and competency assessment of staff has been performed and appropriately documented
• Implements and monitors quality management activities
• Works in conjunction with the section Technical Specialist/Lead Technologists and Pathologists to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing
• Performs the full range of supervisory duties - including but not limited to - recommendations for appointments
• planning - scheduling and assigning work
• setting priorities
• evaluating the work of subordinates
• performance evaluations
• providing advice and counsel
• Works as a CLS during off-hours shifts - weekends and holidays in the Section
• Performs a variety of technical duties at the bench in the event of a manpower shortage or of an increase in workload
• Evaluates quality control materials and initiates corrective actions if reports indicate their necessity
• Provides technical guidance to medical technologists/technicians when quality control or instrument problems occur
• Must have Supervisory experience Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Tour to be determined by service
• Monday - Friday -(ROTATING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 12238F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov and vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized