Physician - Service Chief (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

Physician - Service Chief (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Seattle, Washington

Salary Range: $300000 - $400000 Per Year

Job Summary: This is an open continuous announcement until May 25, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Announcement may be extended if the applicant pool is limited or closed earlier if no longer needed. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. PLEASE REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION FOR DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO UPLOAD RESUME/CV THAT IS LONGER THAN 2 PAGES.

Major Duties:

• Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (P&LM) Service provides a broad range of testing and consultative services in laboratory medicine, anatomic and clinical pathology, every day, at the Seattle Campus. Services for the American Lake campus laboratory which offers access to the same pathology services and clinical laboratory onsite. Overall, P&LM offers client services, chemistry, toxicology, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, transfusion, serology, microbiology, molecular microbiology, cytology, including fine needle aspiration, autopsy, surgical pathology, including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, and point of care testing oversight at multiple locations. Duties include but are not limited to: Supervising the work of subordinate staff engaged in professional, managerial, technical, and other lab support activities; monitoring work performance; delegating work effectively. Analyzing a variety of complex laboratory issues and making sound clinical recommendations. Planning, developing, and coordinating quality control and quality improvement programs. Utilizing technology tools, including computer hardware and software, to efficiently perform duties; assisting with and coordinating the improvement of such tools. Overseeing activities of clinical laboratory medicine, both anatomic and clinical pathology sections, and providing supervision of the Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager, and Section Chiefs. Overseeing the quality of services performed by contracted commercial reference laboratories. Defining metrics and ensuring a program of routine monitoring and quality improvement for processes, both internal and external to P&LMS. Ensuring P&LM staff receive adequate initial and periodic training and proficiency or competence assessment. Providing consultation and guidance to health care providers regarding matters pertaining to pathology and laboratory medicine and the medical significance of laboratory findings. Identifying and overseeing all testing performed within the facility and outreach clinics, and providing assistance and oversight to ensure that any testing performed complies with existing VHA policies, to include oversight responsibility for Ancillary Testing Sites, and participating in the evaluation of test appropriateness for the institution regardless of the testing site. The VA Medical Center's Ancillary Testing Coordinator or other staff appointed by the Laboratory Director must provide quality improvement oversight in each Ancillary Testing Site. Performing site visits of the American Lake Laboratory and community-based outpatient clinics where laboratory services are offered at least quarterly and as needed to maintain high-quality services. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified, eligible applicants. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. 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. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. Proof of license and insurance will be required. Additional Requirement: Must be board-certified in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Experience in leadership roles involving operations, planning, and supervision within a tertiary care environment. Demonstrated expertise in the academic mission of education and research is preferred. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4 hours); standing (4 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability.

How to Apply: 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. To apply for this position online, complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/27/2026 to receive consideration. Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means. If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the CBSV-12942815-26-VS in the Notes field. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-27