Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager)

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Columbia, Missouri

Salary Range: $99357 - $129169 Per Year

Job 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 (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 appl

Major Duties:

• The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist include but are not limited to the following: Maintains a laboratory performance improvement program. Ensures monitoring of components and customer feedback. Interacts with management officials and organizations involved in inter-laboratory quality assurance and proficiency testing. Develops, implements, and performs quality management policy review. - Advises laboratory management on quality management concerns that could impact other services and assists with the necessary follow ups. Identifies current laboratory functions needing improvement and develops a plan with associated individuals to implement change and monitor improvement. Uses comprehensive knowledge for statistical evaluation and analysis and understands laboratory operations and the laboratory's relationship to the organization. Follows laboratory quality control/assurance practices based on policies, procedures, and principles. Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures to address laboratory quality including development of validation plans in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Provides oversight, guidance, and advice to develop required quality assurance monitors and focused reviews. Provides consultative services for laboratory-related root cause analysis, health care failure mode effect analysis, and sentinel events and develops action plans and outcome measures. Establishes processes to monitor compliance with policies, identify patterns and/or trends, and ensure findings from quality management activities and performance improvement initiatives are used to redesign systems to improve quality. Implements surveillance procedures to monitor variables that affect quality of services. Evaluates, interprets, and teaches others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions. Work Schedule: 7:30am -4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V15HRBenefits@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. (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. 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: GS-12 Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments. and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations. (c) Knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. (d) Skill in applying laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures, and principles and safety practices and regulations. (e) Ability to apply quality management performance improvement principles, methodology, and processes to develop and manage a clinical laboratory quality management program. (f) Ability to apply statistical evaluation and analysis to quality assurance data and implement corrective actions when indicated. Preferred Experience: Clinical Laboratory Scientist with two (2) years of laboratory 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.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/29/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12855492. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-29