Summary 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. This CLS serves as a Technical Specialist CLS in the Blood Bank Department, providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge. Responsibilities These assignments require specialized training and experience. The Lead CLS must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. Duties include, but are not limited to: Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed and team priorities, goals, needs and achievements are coordinated with management. Prepares reports, maintains records, administrative information. Prepares and presents work-related information to supervisor. Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors. Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area. Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area. Is responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Writes and revises all Standard Operating Procedure manuals in section. Designs and prepares appropriate instrument maintenance logs, reviews these logs monthly, and assures that proper routine maintenance is being done by technicians/technologists. Reviews all verified results in assigned area (including results from off-hour and weekend shift(s)) to ensure accuracy. Recognizes, responds, and documents errors in a timely manner. Provides guidance for proper corrective action and notifies providers, as appropriate. Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation and is responsible for evaluating new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation and assists in the implementation process of new equipment and test systems. Provides technical instruction, ensuring that policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements are followed. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Performs all manual and automated tests, as needed, in the section as outlined in the procedure manual. Orientation and evaluation of the competency of assigned staff including identification of continuing education and training needs. Coordinates, performs, and documents quality control reviews, calibrations, validations, and method verification activities, and ensures acceptability. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from his/her area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures; correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications), to verify results; performs additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results; and recognizes abnormal results which require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Determines requirements for and evaluates statistical information to establish quality control parameters and reference ranges. Advising on course of action to follow when results or samples obtained are unacceptable. Maintains and troubleshoots laboratory equipment and recognizes deviations in test performance. Participates in quality assurance and quality improvement data collection, submission, and review. Manages inventory and places orders for specified areas of the laboratory. Assists the Laboratory Manager in ensuring compliance of standards set by accrediting/regulatory agencies by utilizing checklists and directives. Assigns and oversees proficiency testing and initiates exception report when required. Performs other duties as assigned by Laboratory Manager or delegated by the Laboratory Medical Director. Work Schedule: 8:00am -4:30pm, Monday through Friday with rotating weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 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. Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below. c. 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. 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:GS-12 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. (a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work. (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. (c) Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes. (d) Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation. (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. (f) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions. (g) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education Preferred Experience: ASCP Certified, Preferred Blood Bank Experience. 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 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and 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: 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/. 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.
