Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the Bath VAMC. The incumbent at this level has full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of nonsupervisory personnel, including GS-06 & GS-07 Laboratory Support Personnel and matrixed reporting of GS-07, GS-09, GS-11 and GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientists, or at least 1 subordinate team leader or supervisor at the next lower grade level.

The incumbent recommends appointments, plans, and assigns work, gives advice and counsel and evaluates work of subordinates. Prepares reports, develops policy and procedure, and maintains records and administrative information. Develops procedures for new tests and modifies existing procedures or methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult testing situations. Prepares and presents information to program manager or serviced chief.

Is responsible for coordination of staff training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Identifies continuing education, training needs and performs and maintains staff competency assessment records to meet regulatory guidelines. Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation. Serves on VISN evaluation team for proposed laboratory instrumentation in laboratory specialty area.

Incumbent may also serve as a Contract Officer's Representative (COR) responsible for contracting oversight of laboratory instrumentation. Tracks contract funding, payments and follows up on audit discrepancies; provides contact evaluations to Contract Officer as required. Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, JCAHO, AABB, and OSHA. Coordinates quality control and quality assurance activities with the program manager or service chief.

Coordinates proficiency testing program for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety, biosecurity, and infection prevention in the workplace. Acts as liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).

Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Ancillary Testing Coordinator responsibilities as follows:
Develops and recommends policy and procedures for the procurement and service requirements for ancillary or point-of-care testing equipment and instrumentation as mandated by VHA Handbook 1106.1 and CLIA. Serves as a recognized technical expert to provide authoritative advice in areas of quality control/assurance, records control, proficiency testing, inspection, and accreditation to all levels of the organization. Evaluates ancillary testing activities to assesses ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines.

Recommends policy/protocol changes to correct deficiencies and improve the program. Ensure the appropriate correlation among different instrumentation and methodologies. Consults with program managers or equivalent clinical services to identify ancillary testing needs and to analyze emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods.