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.

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 Grade Determinations: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.

Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12. 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.

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).

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.

Preferred Experience: Applicants should have a comprehensive knowledge of medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories as they will be tasked with preparing specimens for transport to external testing facilities.

Individual needs to be capable of independent work; position is directly reportable to the Lab Manager.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; 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 CLS assigned to Client Services is directly tasked with preparing specimens for transport to external testing facilities to include intra-VISN and commercial labs.

In coordination with the Supervisor, recommends, appoints, plans and assigns work, provides advice and counsel, and evaluates work of subordinates.

Duties include, but not limited to: Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals, and achievements are coordinated with management.

Assists with preparation of section schedules.

Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance.

Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty.

Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge.

Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information.

Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses.

Identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists.

Maintains process control through a multifaceted quality assurance program. Prepares reports, maintains records, and provides administrative information.

Prepares and presents work-related information to supervisor. Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area.

Performs statistical analysis on quality control, quality assurance monitors, research data. Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.

Provides appropriate training and competency as required. Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation.

Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CLIA, CAP, JCAHO, AABB, and OSHA. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor.

Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory department.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, may include holidays and weekends (subject to change based on facility needs) 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 robert.knudson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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) 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 #: 00800F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized