Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist at this level develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Proper performance of phlebotomy is required. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results. Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements. Acts as designee to assist supervisor with QC troubleshooting and review. Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results. Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems. Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient. Provides advisory services to technicians, technologists, and other specialties. Performs phlebotomy on weekends, holidays and as required. Attends primary operator training for assigned instrumentation and serves as the technical expert on operation and troubleshooting. Trains other technologists in correct procedures of operation, reviews procedures should problems arise, and demonstrates more advanced troubleshooting procedures. Orders all reagents and supplies for assigned instruments to ensure availability of all tests on the analyzer's menu, making sure to allow for reagent or calibrator problems that may arise. Is primary operator and technical expert of assigned instruments Confers with other Lead Techs, Supervisor, Pathology Resident, and/or Clinical Pathologist on any unusual findings that may require further testing and relays information to all other technologists who rotate through applicable lab section. Ensures that all maintenance is done per manufacturer's schedule. Acts as designee to assist supervisor with distribution, testing, transcription, and submission of CAP surveys so that they are completed and submitted before deadlines as required by CAP. Assists supervisor with 6-month instrument cross-checks, 6-month non-CAP CVL studies, annual auto-pipet carryover studies, annual thermometer calibration verification, statistical analysis program data entry as needed, and any other duties as assigned. Assists supervisor and acts as designee with Laboratory Accreditation preparedness, including reviewing and answering checklist questions, and assistance with inspections of assigned areas of the laboratory. Responsible for the daily bench assignments of technologists in the absence of the Chemistry Supervisor and reorganizes coverage of all critical instrumentation and testing should short staffing occur. Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives. Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 554-60342-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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). Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower 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: Educational program must include a medical technology internship in a hospital through an approved college or university program; 5 years experience in Chemistry. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This vacancy is being announced above the full performance level at a GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of bot