Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Fort Meade, South Dakota, Hot Springs, South Dakota

Salary Range: $121821 - $158370 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 individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program 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.

Major Duties:

• The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist: The incumbent serves as the Chief of Diagnostics at the VA Black Hills Health Care System. The Diagnostics Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) encompasses Radiology and Laboratory services. He/She has direct line supervisory responsibility for department managers. The incumbent has direct responsibility for all technical aspects and patient care functions of the Diagnostic ICC. Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as the principal advisor to executive leadership on all matters related to diagnostic imaging (radiology) and pathology/laboratory medicine services. Directs, plans, organizes, and coordinates the overall administrative and clinical operations of the Diagnostics Service, ensuring integration and efficient delivery of high-quality diagnostic services to Veterans. Ensures compliance with all applicable federal regulations, VHA directives (e.g., related to test result communication, quality assurance, radiation safety, and laboratory standards), accreditation requirements (TJC, ACR for imaging, CAP/CLIA for pathology/lab), and national VA policies. Provides technical and administrative supervision to a multidisciplinary team including diagnostic radiologic technologists, sonographers, nuclear medicine techs, medical physicists, medical technologists, laboratory technicians, administrative support staff, and other personnel (roughly 42 FTEs located at 2 separate medical centers geographically separated by 90 miles and one CBOC with full imaging and laboratory service). Assigns work, sets priorities, evaluates performance, recommends awards/promotions, approves leave, resolves grievances, and takes disciplinary actions as needed. Recruits, interviews, and selects qualified staff; ensures ongoing training, competency assessments, and professional development to maintain high standards and adapt to evolving technologies. Oversees quality control/quality assurance programs for diagnostic imaging and laboratory/pathology services, including monitoring accuracy, turnaround times, critical value reporting, and error reduction. Leads or participates in root cause analyses, sentinel event reviews, and corrective action plans related to diagnostic services. Provides oversight for a full range of diagnostic modalities including general radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine/PET, interventional radiology support, anatomic/clinical pathology, cytology, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and blood bank/transfusion services. Collaborates with radiologists, pathologists, and other clinicians to ensure diagnostic services meet clinical needs and support accurate, timely diagnoses. Manages PACS/RIS systems, LIS (laboratory information systems), integration with EHR (CPRS/VistA), and informatics to support efficient workflow, image/result sharing, and data security. Oversees radiation safety program (as applicable), including compliance with NRC/VA radiation protection standards, equipment calibration, shielding evaluations, and staff training. Serves as liaison with other clinical services, facility leadership, VISN Diagnostic Services leads, and external entities (e.g., academic affiliates, vendors, regulatory bodies). Represents the service on facility committees (e.g., Medical Records, Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Environment of Care, Radiation Safety). Involves independent decision-making on operational, budgetary, and personnel matters with broad implications for quality and efficiency. Work Schedule: Full-time; The tour of duty will be discussed during interview. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Questions can be sent to VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. 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)Telework: Not available Telework: Available for Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

Qualifications: All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, . 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: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE). Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT). English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: GS-13: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (listed below) to fully perform at that grade level. GS-12 experience is defined as: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation. Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, laboratory accrediting, and regulatory requirements to develop new policies and guidelines, formulate plans, and judge effectiveness of the operation. 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. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which includes responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems to develop and implement solutions that result inefficient laboratory operation. Ability to manage fiscal matters, forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Ability to set short and/or long-term goals for the section and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems including personnel shortages, organizational structure, and new technology. 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-13. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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 03/24/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12912791. 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: 2026-03-24