Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality and Compliance)

Summary

This position serves as an authority to multiple laboratories, ensuring compliance with inspection, accreditation, and regulatory requirements. Provides expert guidance on technical and regulatory issues, interprets existing requirements, and communicates effectively with accrediting and regulatory bodies. Works under the direction of the VHA National Quality and Compliance Officer.

Duties

This announcement will close on 10/02/2026. The first 50 applications received will receive first consideration. Applications that are submitted after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as a technical authority to multiple laboratories, ensuring compliance with inspection, accreditation, and regulatory requirements. Conducts laboratory site visits and evaluates findings to verify compliance with applicable requirements. Plans and coordinates comprehensive audits of National Enforcement programs and operations, using data analysis to assess efficiency and effectiveness. Reviews audit reports and findings to ensure conclusions are supported and recommendations are appropriate. Advises national pathology program officials on compliance objectives, priorities, and guidance. Provides technical guidance, resolves complex problems, and coordinates implementation of approved programs. Interprets regulations and communicates with accrediting and regulatory bodies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am-04:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space. Functional Statement #: 85281A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality and Compliance) GS-14 Experience- One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-14 assignments. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- In addition to the requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory agency requirements. (B) Skill in application of concepts, principles, and methodology of medical technology sufficient to assess and monitor quality control, quality assurance and proficiency testing in all areas of the laboratory. (C) Skill with managing laboratory operations and relationships to the organization. (D) Ability to delineate and interpret accreditation standards. (E) Ability to perform quality audits and/or inspections of laboratories. (F) Ability to organize and present the inspection and accreditation rules, regulations, and standards of all laboratory accrediting agencies. Preferred Experience: Leadership in Clinical Laboratory Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, moderate lifting of instruments and materials, walking moderate distances, mental alertness, and ability to work under pressure due to meeting established timetables for documentation, hardware/software failures and resolutions. Some assignments require sitting at a computer workstation for moderate periods of time.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Other Information

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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.