Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Ancillary Testing Coordinator)

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Ancillary Testing Coordinator (ATC) and is responsible for ancillary testing or point-of-care testing at the Fargo VA Health Care System; Fargo main campus facility and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) sites.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 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.
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Ability to evaluate, interpret, and teach others to use quality control procedures and implement corrective actions.
• The incumbent assures orientation and competency of assigned staff, and assures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates CBOC activities related to the laboratory service.
• Trains and evaluates the competency of a variety of individuals (physicians, residents, nurses, radiology techs, respiratory therapy techs, and health technicians) in the performance of ancillary testing procedures and in the reporting of test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently.
• Responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance.
• Creates, applies, and monitors r??engineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives, both within the program and/or the organization.
• In collaboration with local management, conducts site visits to assess potential sites for CBOC implementation.
• Conducts CBOC site visits as necessary to provide training, competency evaluation, and/or on-site consultation.
• Consults with program managers or equivalent of clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods, serving as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice, training, troubleshooting, quality assessment, and ancillary testing program consultation.
• The ATC develops technical bulletins, procedures, training materials, and other program materials, ensuring accreditation and compliance with all regulatory agencies for patient testing, result reporting, and proficiency testing including reports, monitors, and continuous performance improvement initiatives.
• The ATC evaluates ancillary testing activities to assess ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines identifying, defining, and resolving issues associated with complex aspects of the data and problems associated with unique aspects of the ancillary testing management program.
• Provides administrative and technical oversight for the work performed and the activities associated with Point of Care (POC) analyzers located outside of the laboratory.
• Coordinates the service's proficiency testing program.
• Ensures the service is participating in all the appropriate proficiency testing surveys.
• Monitors and evaluates the laboratory's performance on proficiency testing challenges.
• Initiates follow-up on unacceptable survey results.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
• 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.
• 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: Ad-hoc at supervisory discretion.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S.
• Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.
• Driving License Requirement: Unrestricted driver's license is required.
• Must provide a clean driving record report from the DMV during onboaring.
• Physical Examination: A driver's physical is required for this position.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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
• 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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/.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
• Professional Certification Resume Transcript Special Note for
• Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former
• Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA)
• RECOMMENDED: Write to the
• Knowledge, Skills, and
• Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document
• KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement.
• Clinical Resume (can be greater than 2 pages).
• See instructions above.
• PCS Orders Professional Certification Proof of Marriage Status Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript