Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - EDRP Authorized

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Bonham (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (GS-12) to supervise a diverse laboratory section, including chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and immunology.

You will apply expert procedures, ensure quality control, and lead a team with minimal supervision. The role emphasizes staff leadership, adherence to regulatory standards, and coordination of daily lab operations, testing, and training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options include MLS Generalist or MT Generalist; or ASCP/AMT Specialist/Categorical.
• English language proficiency as per VA policy.
• Lead CLS responsibilities include staff supervision and performance management.
• Experience in clinical laboratory settings across chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and supervise with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead the laboratory section and coordinate daily activities.
• Coach and develop staff, assign workload.
• Prepare reports and maintain records of work status and performance.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Laboratory procedures

Quality control

Troubleshooting instrumentation

Staff leadership

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

MLS/MT certification options (ASCP/AMT)

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Laboratory information management

Test systems

Job description

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.

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.
  • 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.
    • NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer)
• 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

1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to:

• develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements.
• performs work in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology.
• performs test procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods.
• conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting.
• correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program.
• performs limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing.
• practices independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision.
• assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action.
• monitors quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.

Assignment

For all lead assignments, the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties over staff one grade level below. The Lead CLS communicates the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values. The Lead CLS identifies, distributes, balances work, coaches, and facilitates with problem solving methods. The Lead CLS 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. The Lead CLS is 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. The Lead CLS may act as a liaison to the supervisor and other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Duties may include, but are not limited to, orientation and evaluating the competency of assigned staff including identification of continuing education and training needs, coordinating daily activity of the lab section(s), writing or modifying technical procedures, providing technical instruction, ensuring that policies, procedures and regulatory requirements are followed, advising on course of action to follow when results or samples obtained are unacceptable, and coordinating or performing quality control reviews and method verification activities.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:

• 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

• One year creditable experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the GS-11 level or higher.
• Demonstrated experience with reviewing quality control and preventative maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience instructing staff and students.

Reference

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

Physical Requirements

• Light lifting, under 15 pounds
• Light carrying, under 15 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (2 hours)
• Depth Perception
• Ability to distinguish shades of color
• Hearing (aid permitted)