Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lake City (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Federal retirement pension

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Lake City, FL is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist to oversee a key laboratory area and coordinate day-to-day operations.

The role focuses on accuracy, compliance, and staff development within a federal healthcare environment. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, manage instrumentation, and collaborate with physicians and nurses to ensure quality patient results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher required.
• Certification options listed: MLS/MT by ASCP BOC/AMT or ASCP/AMT.
• Proficiency in English per federal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead CLS team and coordinate tasks with management.
• Oversee operations in assigned laboratory area, including records and training.
• Serve as liaison to other medical center departments.
• Ensure lead duties constitute at least 25% of time.
• Communicate strategic plan and organizational values.
• Prepare reports and monitor staff performance and development.

Skills

Medical technology KSAs

Laboratory instrumentation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

MLS/MT certification options

ASCP/AMT certification options

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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.(1) 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.
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403 (f)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• GS 12: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) experience includes: independently carrying out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory - develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry - microbiology - immunology - hematology - and immunohematology
• Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods
• This experience is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Assignments
• For all GS-12 assignments above the FPL - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time
• 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: 3 years experience as CLS/MLS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.Part II Appendix G24

Duties

• Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientists facilitate team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks - priorities - goals and achievements are coordinated with management
• 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
• For all Lead CLS assignments - the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties over staff one grade level below
• Communicates the organization's strategic plan - mission - vision - and values
• Identifies - distributes - balances work - coaches - and facilitates with problem solving methods
• Prepares reports and maintains records of work status
• resolves simple - informal complaints
• reports performance - progress - and training needs of the team and on behavioral problems
• and provides information on promotions - reassignment - recognition of outstanding performance - and personnel needs
• Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty - including assignment of work responsibilities - workload management - and completion of assignments for staff at or above the FPL as well as preparation and maintenance of records and reports - analysis of testing methodologies - training - instrumentation - and compliance
• May act as a liaison to the supervisor and other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm with rotating weekends and holidays
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - 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) 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.