Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration; Georgia; On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs) is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Houston, TX area within the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

The role requires leadership of the laboratory section, coordination of daily activities, and oversight of testing standards. The candidate should have 1 year of experience at the next lower grade, relevant KSAs, and appropriate certification.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only if VA policy allows.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing per 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options: Generalist MLS/MT by ASCP BOC or AMT, or Categorical/Specialist by ASCP/AMT.
• Grandfathering provision may apply for current VHA employees in this occupation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Clinical Laboratory section and coordinate daily work activities.
• Provide or coordinate staff development and training; guide clinicians and staff on testing requirements and results.
• Develop or modify procedures for new tests and troubleshooting complex laboratory issues.

Skills

Lab leadership

Instrument troubleshooting

Procedural development

Staff training

Technical guidance

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas, under Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service in the Evening Core Lab Section..

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Education: A bachelor's 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

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: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• 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.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-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: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; 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