Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiology / Molecular Microbiology

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.

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Duties

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Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Laboratory Testing and Procedures

- Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing, reporting, documentation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and other tasks of the Clinical Laboratory Science occupation.

- Maintains competency in at least one laboratory section (Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology/Molecular) and performs testing as assigned.

- Receives, accessions, and processes incoming samples per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics.

- Looks up orders, results, and other pertinent patient information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and enters results and other relevant information into the EMR.

- Organizes work and prioritizes tasks to meet deadlines.

Equipment and Maintenance

- Maintains and documents optimal laboratory equipment function, promptly informing the Section Supervisor of any deviations or malfunctions.

- Identifies deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction, analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles, documents corrective actions, and informs the Section Supervisor of corrective actions taken.

- Operates, calibrates, troubleshoots, repairs, performs, and documents preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.

- Completes all quality assurance monitors according to SOP.

- Performs and documents quality control for manual and automated assays at assigned intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, biannually, and annually).

Safety and Compliance

- Performs and documents quality control to ensure reagents, equipment, humidity, and temperatures meet recommended guidelines.

- Performs assigned Proficiency Testing (PT) according to SOP, completing testing and documentation prior to the deadline.

- Reports any circumstance which may lead to inaccurate test results, compromise patient safety, or lead to unsafe or hostile workplace conditions. A Verbal report must be made immediately to the Supervisor on Duty and must be followed within 24 hours with a detailed signed written account (report of contact) of the event.

- Serves as a member of reciprocal laboratory inspection teams as assigned.

- Generates incident reports, e.g., Joint Patient Safety Event Reports (JPSRs), when errors such as mislabeled patient specimens negatively impact patient care.

Training and Communication

- Trains new employees, students, pathology residents, and clinicians on theoretical and practical aspects of test performance, including procedures, instrument function, quality control, quality management, and result reporting.

- Communicates effectively and courteously as a healthcare team member.

- Utilizes MS-Word, MS-Excel, and MS-PowerPoint (or comparable software) for data entry, document storage and retrieval, and for preparing graphs, reports, and presentations.

- Uses MS-Outlook daily to read email and check the calendar.

- Uses facility-provided conferencing software for meetings and other functions.

Administrative and Miscellaneous Duties

- Follows computer downtime procedure as necessary, accessions specimens and enters results when the computer system is back online.

- Accounts for all accessioned specimens by reviewing the Incomplete Test Status Log throughout the day.

- Adheres to reference laboratory guidelines for transporting and submitting send-out specimens as needed.

- Prepares, processes, manifests, and ships samples to outside laboratories as needed, following all policies and procedures.

- Tracks packages, checks incomplete lists, inputs results of send out samples, and sends notification to providers when indicated.

- Receives supplies and reagents, checks expiration dates upon receipt, and notifies supervisor if any items have a short expiration date (relative to historic expiration dates or anticipated burn rate).

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm with rotating Weekends and Holidays; (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility)

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Telework : Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 01449F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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.
• 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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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 or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

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.

Preferred Experience:

1. The candidate should possess strong analytical and diagnostic skills with extensive experience in microbiology, including performing validations for microbiology instruments. They must have at least 3 years of experience in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory with administrative or managerial responsibilities. They should demonstrate excellent leadership abilities, capable of supervising laboratory staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and have general knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
2. The candidate must demonstrate a positive and encouraging attitude, with the ability to inspire and motivate others while fostering a productive and collaborative work environment.
3. The ideal candidate would hold ASCP Advanced Specialist Certification in Microbiology, SM(ASCP).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 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.

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

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.