"Alerted.org

Summary This position is located at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital. The tour of duty is: Monday - Friday, Midnight - 8:00 am Rotating weekends and holidays. The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist serves over the assigned laboratory specialty area(s). They communicate the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, & values as well as other Lead duties. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Responsibilities Major Duties: The Lead CLS spends at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties over staff one grade level below. Functions also include (but are not limited to): Accepts assignment to one or more specialty areas as determined by the Supervisory CLS, Laboratory Manager, and/or Laboratory Director. Oversees all aspects of the assigned specialty area(s), including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, evaluation and selection of testing methodologies, staff training, instrument management, and regulatory compliance. Facilitates coordination among team members to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and specialty area priorities and goals are met. Works collaboratively with other leads, the Supervisory CLS, Quality Manager, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Laboratory Manager, and Laboratory Director to align specialty operations with overall laboratory missions and objectives. Serves as the subject matter expert within the assigned specialty area(s), providing authoritative advice on complex or emerging tests, interpretation of results, and alternate testing strategies. Advises all organizational levels on the appropriateness, clinical context, and utility of specialized tests, considering test specificity, sensitivity, and potential interferences. Develops and revises policies, protocols, and SOPs for the assigned specialty area(s), ensuring they meet or exceed regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards. Modifies or adapts new methods and technologies to improve or expand testing services, validating performance, and establishing reference intervals using sound statistical and analytical methods. Ensures that testing in assigned area(s) meets accrediting agency (AABB, CAP, TJC, CLIA, FDA) standards and identifies areas for improvement. Reviews accreditation checklists, identifies deficiencies, implements corrective actions, and monitors effectiveness. Coordinates proficiency testing assignments with the Quality Manager, investigates exceptions, and applies corrective actions as needed. Works with the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) during installation and upgrades to the LIS (e.g., VistA, CPRS) to ensure accuracy, data integrity, and efficient workflow in the specialty area(s). Attends vendor training and serves as a resource for troubleshooting complex instrument issues, coordinating with vendor field service engineers to resolve operational problems. Trains and mentors' employees, students, and staff from other in laboratory operations, policies, and SOPs related to the specialty area(s). Provides guidance on the use of document management systems to ensure proper development, review, and updating of laboratory documents. Manages reagent, consumable, and supply inventories, ensuring adequate stock, proper storage, and cost-effective utilization. - Conducts market research, obtains vendor quotes, and collaborates with Supervisory CLS or Laboratory Manager on procurements and vendor evaluations. Identifies and corrects issues related to test performance, sample integrity, instrument malfunctions, and workflow bottlenecks. Implements solutions that improve the efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time of testing, ensuring that all specimens are accounted for, tested, and resulted within established timeframes. Evaluates test data against assay procedures, linearity, interferences, and established reference intervals. Integrates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data to verify results, making informed recommendations for confirmatory testing or follow-up procedures. Provides clear, courteous, and effective communication with healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders. Explains test methodologies, limitations, and interpretations, suggesting additional or alternative testing to clarify diagnostic ambiguities. Performs full-range testing duties as needed on any laboratory shift, including weekends, holidays, nights, on-call rotations, or other shifts, to maintain service continuity. May occasionally travel to other laboratories or sites to provide coverage or support during staffing shortages or emergencies. Major Duties section continues in Education section below. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Midnight - 8:00 am Rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53957-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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). 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. 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. Preferred Experience: GS-644-12 Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist General Knowledge in Laboratory Interface General Knowledge of Equipment Troubleshooting General Knowledge in Laboratory Automation General Knowledge in Regulatory and Accrediting agencies General Knowledge in Method Validation 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 this vacancy is at the GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (0.5 hours); Pulling hand over hand (0.2 hours); Pushing (0.5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (4 hours); Repeated bending (0.25 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Use of fingers (8 hours); Mental & Emotional Stability; Sitting (4 hours) Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Continuation of Major Duties section: Adheres to all biosafety and biosecurity regulations, ensuring proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. Maintains rigorous documentation of quality control, maintenance, corrective actions, and other records that demonstrate compliance and support accreditation readiness. Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems. Assists Laboratory Manager or designee with vendor evaluations and contracting processes, recommending instrumentation and technology enhancements that align with laboratory needs. Performs any other clinical laboratory or medical center tasks deemed critical to the mission of the department and VHA, as delegated by the Supervisory CLS, Laboratory Manager, and/or Laboratory Director. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.