Podiatrist - Service Chief (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

This is an open continuous announcement until May 25, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Announcement may be extended if the applicant pool is limited or closed earlier if no longer needed.

Announcement has been extended to September 30, 2026.

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. PLEASE REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION FOR DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO UPLOAD RESUME/CV THAT IS LONGER THAN 2 PAGES.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (P&LM) Service provides a broad range of testing and consultative services in laboratory medicine, anatomic and clinical pathology, every day, at the Seattle Campus. Services for the American Lake campus laboratory which offers access to the same pathology services and clinical laboratory onsite. Overall, P&LM offers client services, chemistry, toxicology, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, transfusion, serology, microbiology, molecular microbiology, cytology, including fine needle aspiration, autopsy, surgical pathology, including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, and point of care testing oversight at multiple locations.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Supervising the work of subordinate staff engaged in professional, managerial, technical, and other lab support activities; monitoring work performance; delegating work effectively.
• Analyzing a variety of complex laboratory issues and making sound clinical recommendations.
• Planning, developing, and coordinating quality control and quality improvement programs.
• Utilizing technology tools, including computer hardware and software, to efficiently perform duties; assisting with and coordinating the improvement of such tools.
• Overseeing activities of clinical laboratory medicine, both anatomic and clinical pathology sections, and providing supervision of the Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager, and Section Chiefs.
• Overseeing the quality of services performed by contracted commercial reference laboratories.
• Defining metrics and ensuring a program of routine monitoring and quality improvement for processes, both internal and external to P&LMS.
• Ensuring P&LM staff receive adequate initial and periodic training and proficiency or competence assessment.
• Providing consultation and guidance to health care providers regarding matters pertaining to pathology and laboratory medicine and the medical significance of laboratory findings.
• Identifying and overseeing all testing performed within the facility and outreach clinics, and providing assistance and oversight to ensure that any testing performed complies with existing VHA policies, to include oversight responsibility for Ancillary Testing Sites, and participating in the evaluation of test appropriateness for the institution regardless of the testing site. The VA Medical Center's Ancillary Testing Coordinator or other staff appointed by the Laboratory Director must provide quality improvement oversight in each Ancillary Testing Site.
• Performing site visits of the American Lake Laboratory and community-based outpatient clinics where laboratory services are offered at least quarterly and as needed to maintain high-quality services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM.
Telework: Not authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
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)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Podiatrist Basic Requirements

• Degree as a doctor of podiatric medicine, or its equivalent, from a school of podiatric medicine approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Approved schools are United States schools of podiatric medicine approved by the Council on Podiatry Education of the American Podiatry Association in the year in which the degree was granted. ~AND~
• Completed, or currently completing, residency training, or its equivalent, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. VA Podiatrists involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status. Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, in the list published for the year the residency was completed, or (2) Other residencies and training experiences, or their equivalents, which the local Professional Standards Board determines to have provided an applicant with appropriate professional training. ~AND~
• Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice Podiatry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• Current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. Proof of license and insurance will be required.

Additional Requirement:

• Must be board-certified in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in leadership roles involving operations, planning, and supervision within a tertiary care environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in the academic mission of education and research is preferred.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4 hours); standing (4 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability.

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/.