Lead Clinical Lab Scientist

Summary

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas and operates within the Pathology & Laboratory Service.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Oversees all aspects of the assigned specialty area(s), including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, evaluation and selection of testing methodologies, staff training, instrument management, and regulatory compliance. Facilitates coordination among team members to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and specialty area priorities and goals are met. Works collaboratively with other leads, the Supervisory CLS, Quality Manager, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Laboratory Manager, and Laboratory Director to align specialty operations with overall laboratory missions and objectives. Serves as the subject matter expert within the assigned specialty area(s), providing authoritative advice on complex or emerging tests, interpretation of results, and alternate testing strategies. Advises all organizational levels on the appropriateness, clinical context, and utility of specialized tests, considering test specificity, sensitivity, and potential interferences. Develops and revises policies, protocols, and SOPs for the assigned specialty area(s), ensuring they meet or exceed regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards. Modifies or adapts new methods and technologies to improve or expand testing services, validating performance, and establishing reference intervals using sound statistical and analytical methods. Ensures that testing in assigned area(s) meets accrediting agency (CAP, TJC, CLIA, FDA) standards and identifies areas for improvement. Reviews accreditation checklists, identifies deficiencies, implements corrective actions, and monitors effectiveness. Coordinates proficiency testing assignments with the Quality Manager, investigates exceptions, and applies corrective actions as needed. Works with the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) during installation and upgrades to the LIS (e.g., VistA, CPRS) to ensure accuracy, data integrity, and efficient workflow in the specialty area(s). Attends vendor training and serves as a resource for troubleshooting complex instrument issues, coordinating with vendor field service engineers to resolve operational problems. Trains and mentors employees, students, and staff from other in laboratory operations, policies, and SOPs related to the specialty area(s). Provides guidance on the use of document management systems to ensure proper development, review, and updating of laboratory documents. Manages reagent, consumable, and supply inventories, ensuring adequate stock, proper storage, and cost-effective utilization. - Conducts market research, obtains GS-0644-12, Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist 3 vendor quotes, and collaborates with Supervisory CLS or Laboratory Manager on procurements and vendor evaluations. Identifies and corrects issues related to test performance, sample integrity, instrument malfunctions, and workflow bottlenecks. Implements solutions that improve the efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time of testing, ensuring that all specimens are accounted for, tested, and resulted within established timeframes. Evaluates test data against assay procedures, linearity, interferences, and established reference intervals. Integrates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data to verify results, making informed recommendations for confirmatory testing or follow-up procedures. Provides clear, courteous, and effective communication with healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders. Other duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm; Rotating Holidays and Weekends Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 53463F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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). Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university 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: 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 Eligible to take the certification examination. You must submit a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating that you are eligible to take the certification examination. NOTE: Possession of one of the following certifications automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed. (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 (related to this position) by ASCP or AMT. 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 (related to this position) by ASCP or AMT. GS-12 GRADE DETERMINATION: LEAD CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11 Note: To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience also had to be gained while having an active: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT (or) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT (or) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT related to the lab section for this position Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current CLS practices. The experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a CLS in the health care field. Research