Lead Clinical Lab Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid Time Off: 37–50 days annually

Child Care Subsidy

Traditional federal pension

VA Insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Lead Clinical Lab Scientist for the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. This position involves performing complex diagnostic tests and managing lab operations. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree and appropriate lab certifications.

Full-time work schedule from Monday to Friday, offering competitive salary and substantial paid time off. The role includes significant responsibilities in quality control and staff management, and it is critical for maintaining high standards in the lab.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college.
• Must possess relevant certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex diagnostic testing on human specimens.
• Manage daily lab operations and staff development.
• Ensure compliance with policies and quality control.

Skills

Knowledge of medical technology

Skill to maintain and troubleshoot lab instruments

Managerial skills

Proficiency in English

Education

Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science

Certification as MLS or MT

Job description

Summary

Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is hiring one Lead Clinical Lab Scientist for the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. The continuous announcement will remain open until September 17 2026 or until all positions are filled.

Qualifications

Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Foreign education must be deemed at least equivalent to a U.S. conventional program by a reputable evaluation agency; graduates of foreign baccalaureate programs are eligible if the transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable agency and the degree is equivalent to a NAACLS‑approved U.S. clinical laboratory science program, or the applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating eligibility to take the certification examination. Note: possessing a certification identified in the criteria above automatically determines foreign education as creditable and requires no further documentation.
• Candidates must meet one of the following certification options: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT; Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT; or qualify under the Grandfathering Provision (applicable only to current VHA employees who meet the criteria).
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations

• Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist – GS‑12: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties; skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation; ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing ones; ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities; ability to provide staff development and training; ability to give guidance and technical direction to physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding testing, specimen requirements, and results.
• Preferred experience: Blood Bank experience.
• This vacancy is above the full performance level.
• Physical requirements: Moderate lifting up to 20 lbs; pulling, pushing, reaching, walking, standing up to 4 hours, kneeling, bending, use of both arms and legs.
• Specific visual requirements: use of both eyes, depth perception, color discrimination, hearing (aids permitted); clear high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Duties

• The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) performs complex diagnostic testing on human specimens across specialized areas including hematology, chemistry, immunohematology (blood bank), microbiology, immunology, cytogenetics, anatomic pathology, electron microscopy, molecular diagnostics, and flow cytometry.
• Responsible for pre‑analytical, analytical, and post‑analytical phases of testing.
• Communicates the organization’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and values.
• Plays a managerial role: distributes, balances work, coaches, facilitates problem‑solving, prepares reports, maintains records, resolves informal complaints, reports performance and training needs, and provides information on promotions, reassignment, recognition, and personnel needs.
• Manages all aspects of operation within the assigned area of specialty, including workload management and compliance, instrumentation, training, and quality control activities.
• Acts as liaison to supervisors and other departments/divisions of the medical center.
• Oversees orientation and competency evaluation of staff, identifies continuing education and training needs, coordinates daily lab activity, writes or modifies technical procedures, provides technical instruction, ensures policies and regulatory requirements are followed, advises on actions for unacceptable results or specimens, and coordinates quality control and method verification.
• Evaluates specimen suitability, prepares specimens and reagents, assembles equipment, verifies instrument operation, standardizes, performs, and calculates results for complex tests, monitors performance of routine and specialized procedures, recognizes and corrects malfunctions, evaluates data validity, correlates data, performs additional tests to clarify abnormal results, and reports results.
• Conducts and records quality control procedures.

Total Rewards & Benefits

• Work schedule: Full‑time, Monday‑Friday, 7:00 am‑3:30 pm.
• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service.
• Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, eligible full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may receive a childcare subsidy up to 25 % of eligible costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution.
• VA Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal programs available in retirement).
• Telework: Not available.
• Functional Statement #: PD51214‑A.