Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist -Evening / Night / Weekend Team

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

EDRP incentives subject to policy

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans seeks qualified clinical laboratory personnel for a GS-12 level position.

The role emphasizes high standards in education, certification, and patient care, with the possibility to participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) subject to policy guidelines. Candidates must meet licensure requirements, demonstrate strong English proficiency, and be prepared to work in a dynamic lab environment that involves supervision

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen and proficient in English.
• Education: a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: MLS/MT options or equivalent per ASCP AMT.
• Non-certified paths allowed with routes to certification per VA policy.
• Foreign education evaluated for equivalence when applicable.

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist in clinical laboratory duties as assigned.
• Perform testing and ensure accurate, timely reporting of results.
• Coordinate staff work assignments and provide guidance to junior staff.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory inspections and quality control procedures.

Skills

English proficiency

Attention to detail

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

ASCP MLS/MT certification options

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.

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
• 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: (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
• 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)
• (2) Exception for Non-Certified
• (a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency
• (b) Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
• 7405(c)(2)
• (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL
• (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicable
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements - employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted
• (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements
• Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-12
• Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower 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
• (G) Ability to manage fiscal matters - forecast resource and equipment needs - and administer the allocated budget
• Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have: A Bachelor's degree (BS) in Medical Technology - Clinical Laboratory Science - or Medical Laboratory Science with ASCP certification: MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP)
• A demonstrated history of job stability and minimum of 3 continuous years¿ experience working independently on an evening or overnight shift in a core laboratory - including experience in Chemistry - Hematology - Microbiology - and Blood Bank
• Demonstrated leadership experience - such as serving as a lead - acting lead - supervisor - or other roles with increased responsibility in a clinical laboratory setting
• Experience coordinating workflow - troubleshooting technical issues - and assisting with quality assurance or process improvement initiatives on off-hours or weekends
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Prioritizes workload to ensure prompt reporting of test results - keeping TAT for lab tests within established guidelines (STAT - Timed - routine)
• Serves as the Acting Supervisor on behalf of the Section Supervisor as needed
• Oversees day-to-day operations of the section - ensuring optimal workflow - resource allocation - and staff utilization
• Observes and evaluates the work of subordinates
• Performs testing in all areas of the Chemistry / Hematology Core laboratory - Microbiology - and Blood Bank
• Performs the full range of Transfusion Medicine procedures - including ABO/Rh - antibody screen - antibody identification - compatibility testing - Direct Antiglobulin testing - antigen typing - donor unit confirmation - component modifications - blood product issuance - Transfusion Reaction workups - Quality Control testing - and documentation in the Facility's Electronic Medical Record
• Coordinates and serves as the primary trainer for new employees - students - Pathology residents - and clinicians - providing comprehensive education on all laboratory aspects relevant to their roles and responsibilities
• Maintains readiness for regulatory inspections by relevant agencies and serves on mock inspection and/or safety teams as assigned
• Conducts quality assurance activities - initiates corrective actions related to instrument functions and test performance - and incorporates statistical principles and performance improvement theories
• Receives - accessions - and processes incoming samples per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics
• Acts as the primary technical resource for staff during the shift - assisting with complex procedures - resolving instrument malfunctions - and supporting troubleshooting across all sections
• Communicates critical or unusual results promptly following policy
• escalate significant incidents to supervisors or leadership
• Performs and document preventive maintenance - calibrations - and QC for manual and automated analyzers
• initiate corrective action for instrument failures
• Maintains compliance with biosafety - PPE - chemical hygiene - and biosecurity practices
• report unsafe conditions to Supervisor
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday-Friday 12:00 am to 8:00 am (Overnight shift) with rotating weekends and holidays
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):Not 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) 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: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 01554F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized