Lead Clinical Lab Scientist

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas and operates within the Pathology & Laboratory Service.

Key Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to: 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 (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 GS-0644-12, Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist 3 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. Other duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm; Rotating Holidays and Weekends Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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. Functional Statement #: 53463F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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:

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by the US Dept. of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the US Dept. of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Administrative Duties Performs administrative duties as necessary for laboratory services. Primary responsibilities are to receive and direct calls to appropriate laboratory department/section.

Provides guidance to clinical and non-clinical staff on clinical and anatomical laboratory testing services. Documents customer concerns, complaints, or compliments. Advises clinical and non-clinical staff on proper ordering protocols for patient testing and fiscal efficiency based on established guidelines or pathologist approval. Performs supplemental testing (add-on) function for the clinical laboratory and anatomical pathology.

Maintains technical knowledge of specimen requirements, storage, online laboratory services manual, and established policy or procedure to identify viable samples for the request determining suitability for requested testing, to include specimen location and routing for supplemental testing. Maintains required information of all calls, physician encounters, and supplemental request. Reports trends and perspective solutions to management for monthly quality indicator reports.

Practices high reliability skills and system redesign concepts to solve problems using a cascade of probabilities starting from the simplest, to the most complex of solutions, using limited resources and a willingness to stop the line when needed.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $110443 – $143759/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-16.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.

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Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-08 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov