Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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.

(a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.

(c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S.

must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S.

clinical laboratory science degree program. OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower GS 11 grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.

Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.

Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results.

Preferred Experience: Preferred experience includes advanced technical competence in urinalysis and send-out testing, including quality control oversight, proficiency testing, re-agent and method validation, and application of CAP and Joint Commission regulatory standards.

Experience is preferred in generating and verifying laboratory results across multiple shifts; coordinating instrument troubleshooting, maintenance, and supply management; and preparing statistical or workload reports using a laboratory information system.

Additional preferred experience includes training and evaluating staff or students, writing or revising procedure manuals, collaborating with clinical and laboratory personnel, and supporting implementation or validation of new tests, instrumentation, or methodologies.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12.

Physical Requirements: This factor covers the requirements and physical demands placed on the clinical laboratory scientist by the work assignment.

This includes physical characteristics and abilities (e.g., distant and color vision, hearing, specific agility and dexterity requirements) and the physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending over microscopes, reaching for supplies or materials, lifting moderately heavy items such as reagent packs and adequate dexterity to perform intricate procurement of specimens or analysis procedures.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials.

Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors.

Work is performed in a laboratory setting; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is responsible for all operations within the Urinalysis (UA) and Send Out department of the laboratory, including procedures, regulatory compliance, workflow, and instrumentation.

The Lead CLS also functions as a generalist, independently performing testing across chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, blood banking, serology, and microbiology.

Rotations through all areas occur regularly, and work may include off-hours, weekends, and holidays.

Duties include but not limited to: Oversees UA and Send Out operations, ensuring proper workflow, procedures, instrumentation, and regulatory compliance.

Performs generalist testing across all major laboratory areas and rotates through all sections as needed.

Serves as primary technical resource; provides guidance on policies, procedures, analyzers, and specimen handling.

Conducts and reviews QC, validations, proficiency testing, and regulatory compliance activities. Reviews and verifies patient results and shift work for accuracy.

Generates and audits required statistical and operational reports; maintains accurate records.

Manages inventory, supply levels, and instrument troubleshooting in coordination with Engineering and vendors. Consults with clinicians on test appropriateness and complex result interpretation.

Coordinates workflow, priorities, and staffing adjustments within the section. Reviews and updates procedures; assists with new test implementation and instrument validation.

Trains, evaluates and maintains competency assessments for technologists, technicians, students, and new staff.

Prepares and updates procedure manuals; provides technical support during QC or instrument issues. Performs specialized UA and Send Out testing and other assigned duties.

Adheres to all safety standards and participates in quality improvement activities. Maintains CPR certification, assists with specimen procurement and timekeeping, and works irregular tours as needed.

Maintains competency across all designated laboratory areas. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 om (subject to change based on the needs of the service).

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact vhafavhrsbu@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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.

Child Care 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 564-01657-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized