Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist
What you'd do
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Major duties
Duties include but not limited to: The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) rotates with other technologist on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas. S/He also works other assigned shifts: off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. The duties and responsibilities of the CLS include but are not limited to the following: Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Serves as primary operator on new systems. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Performs Daily, Weekly, and Monthly maintenance as required per instrument specifications. Performs reagent lot to lot validations and new lot quality controls crossover studies. Performs bi-annual linearity and AMR studies. Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Technologist utilizes correlation of quantitative data with patient data (i.e. Patient history, medications etc.) to confirm validity of results. Assumes the responsibility to maintain operations including preventative maintenance and training of technicians and technologists on the operation of new test systems. Oversight of the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level technologist or technician training programs in order to fulfill education and professional requirements (where training programs exist). Provides technical training and guidance to students, residents, staff, and other employees. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Calculates final test results and applies knowledge of statistics to prepare and interpret quality control data (mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation). Responsible for the accurate generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Responsible for monitoring the section for inspection readiness. Possesses knowledge of the contents of the CAP checklists for each section and is able to respond to the inspector for each checklist question or able to find the correct response. Performs CAP survey unknowns as assigned in all sections of the laboratory. The lead is assigned responsibility to assist in the preparation of inspections of the under the guidance of the Supervisory Medical Technologist, responsible for the checklist in each of these sections and the "evidence of compliance" (EOC). Technologist will participate with the inspection team during the onsite CAP inspection. Instruction techniques and practices are sufficient to provide technical orientation to new technologists, bench teaching for technicians and technologists and to conduct in-service training for laboratory staff. Responsible for knowledge of regulatory agency requirements necessary to assure that work meets standards to the extent necessary to maintain accreditation from CAP, JCAHO, FDA, OSHA by following printed guidelines. The Lead will also be responsible for quality control review and recommend updates to procedure manuals for specific laboratory function. Gather, tabulate and submit monthly QC/QA data to the supervisor. The Lead Technologist must perform sound independent work with minimal oversite of the Supervisor and maintain competency to lead staff work performance. Performs Blood Bank duties. Performs all type and crossmatches for transfusion. Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm with Rotating Weekends & Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12, Assignments. Assignments: For all GS-12 assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments. Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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