Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality and Compliance)

This Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality and Compliance) position is with Veterans Health Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. 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. Key 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 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.