Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Hematology, Urinalysis, Serology

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. Responsibilities VA Careers - Clinical Laboratory Scientist: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist is considered above the FPL and carries out all functions of the GS-11 but has higher levels of professional responsibilities and expertise. The Lead CLS is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty. The Lead CLS responsibilities fall under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) roles of Technical Supervisor (high complexity testing) and Technical Consultant (moderate complexity testing) and Testing Personnel. Major Duties include but are not limited: Serves as the assigned specialty's primary operator, provides consultative services to laboratory staff, and acts as a liaison to other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Able to recognize, define and resolve complex technical problems. Communicates the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values. Identifies, distributes, and balances work. Coaches staff and facilitates performance using problem solving methods. Prepares reports and maintains records of work status. Resolves simple, informal complaints. Reports employee performance and progress, training needs and behavioral problems. Provides information to support promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance. Responsible for the orientation and evaluation of competency for assigned staff. Identifies continuing education and training needs. Coordinates daily activity of the lab section. Writes and modifies procedures providing technical instruction and ensures that policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements are followed, Advises on course of action to follow when results or samples obtained are unacceptable. Coordinates and performs quality control reviews and method verification activities. Ensures compliance with accrediting agency regulations. Performs advanced maintenance procedures and is consulted as the in-house expert for troubleshooting problems. Coordinates and administers proficiency testing procedures according to lab policy to include investigation of unacceptable results. Maintains technical competency in assigned specialties within the laboratory. Assigned to bench work, when necessary, based on staffing. In the absence of the Laboratory Manager, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of lower-level medical technologists in assigned areas. Performs other duties as assigned by the Laboratory Manager or delegated by the Laboratory Medical Director. Work Schedule: 40 hours per week to include rotating weekends & holidays; tour of duty to be determined Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 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). 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. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11 is required 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: Specialized experience in Hematology, Coagulation and Urinalysis to include instrument maintenance and advanced troubleshooting, operator training/competency assessment, and quality system evaluation. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019 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 in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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.