Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

This position requires that at least 25% of the technologist time is spent performing the following duties as delegated by the Supervisor Lab Manager Section Chief or Chief of Pathology:

• Perform more complex Laboratory Functions like Evaluation/ Modification and Implementation of new methods or techniques to improve or expand services.
• Develop and recommend protocols for performance of test and evaluation of results.
• Ensure that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies.
• Recognize methodology limitations such as linearity interferences sensitivity and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of test results.
• Perform instrument validation studies to include Patient Correlation Linearity calibration Verification Analytical Measurement Range and Precision studies.
• This will include the recording statistical analysis and interpretation of results.
• Assist the Supervisor to investigate and correct daily errors found on patient results.
• Collect data for Quality Assurance Reports.
• Provide professional and technical advice to technicians technologists and other Health Care Professionals Assist Supervisor with initial Staff training six month and annual competency assessments for each area of department.
• Perform Quality Control (Liquid and/or electronic) and troubleshoot methodologies and or instrumentation as needed.
• Utilizes knowledge of regulations and checklists from CAP JCAHO AABB FDA or other governing regulatory bodies to prepare lab for biennial on-site CAP Lab inspection and biennial Lab self-inspection.
• Incumbent organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.
• Be a Key Operator on a major analyzer.
• Troubleshoot interface issues between the Vista LIS instrumentation and corresponding middleware.
• Review assigned QC files and conduct follow-up investigation and troubleshooting as needed.
• Write update and review procedure manuals as assigned.
• Review Reagent Lot to Lot studies and assess acceptability of results.
• Proficiency testing: oversee assignment of samples and monitor handling of results.
• Review of abnormal & critical patient results daily for accuracy and completion investigate and document if follow up is needed.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm M-F rotating weekends/holidays (7:00am - 3:30pm)
Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92766-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II chapter 3 section A paragraph 3g.)
• English Language Proficiency - must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• Education Requirement - A bachelors 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.
• NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including Ancillary Testing Coordinator Education Coordinator Laboratory Information Manager Quality Manager Laboratory Manager Regional Technical Specialist National Quality and Compliance Agent Regional Program Manager Regional Director Laboratory Director or National Quality and Compliance Officer).

May qualify based on 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).
Basic Requirements:

Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held including positive education and certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed the following provisions apply:

• Employees may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations:GS-12 Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments

In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
2. Skill to maintain troubleshoot and repair laboratory instrumentation.
3. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
4. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
5. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
6. 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:

• Three or more years Microbiology OR Lead Tech experience.
• Experience with quality assurance and control programs (including IQCP) accreditation requirements and inspections validations/implementations of new assays/instruments and training/competency.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); As needed - Straight pulling pushing walking standing repeated bending reaching above shoulder use of fingers both hands required; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see and distinguish depth perception basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). In addition the ability to deal with constant noise work around machinery with moving parts work closely with others or alone and work protracted or irregular hours. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.