Lead Clinical Lab Scientist

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.

EDUCATION: Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ . RESPONSIBILITIES: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Individual has specialized training and experience. Employee has advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. Individual utilizes wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. The clinical laboratory scientist works on a regular basis through the appropriate clinical area(s). The CLS also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Lead CLS performs the below duties at least 50 percent of the time.

The duties and responsibilities of the clinical laboratory scientist include but are not limited to the following:

-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.

-Research 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.

-Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation.

-Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, JCAHO, MBB, and OSHA. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory department.

-This position requires working on the weekend and holidays, including phlebotomy.

-Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : Monday through Friday, 3:30 pm - 11:30 pm with rotating holidays. Subject to change based on needs of the facility.

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 lashala.goodwin@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 # : 01157F

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.

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:

(A)Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.

(B)Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.

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

(D)Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.

(E)Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.

(F)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: none

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12

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: 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. SALARY: QuantitativeValue EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Other

Salary : $417