Health Scientist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Atlanta, GA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Laboratory Systems and Response, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The Health Scientist provides senior-level scientific and technical leadership for quality management systems in CLIA-regulated CDC infectious disease laboratories. The role analyzes complex scientific, technical, and programmatic issues and assesses their effects on public health policies, laboratory programs, and diagnostic testing requirements. It also provides oversight of laboratory quality activities and serves as the CLIA Deputy Laboratory Director for CDC Infectious Disease CLIA-regulated Laboratories, as well as a senior scientific advisor and management coordinator for national compliance program activities.

The position requires a bachelor’s or graduate-level degree with major study in a field related to medicine, health sciences, or allied sciences, and at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14. The experience must include all listed areas: leading quality management systems in CLIA-regulated infectious disease laboratories; analyzing and communicating complex scientific, technical, or regulatory information; leading laboratory quality assessments, audits, or evaluations; and providing consultation to leadership and multidisciplinary stakeholders.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, satisfaction of federal employment and time-in-grade requirements, and successful completion of a background investigation. The selected candidate must obtain and maintain a Public Trust Moderate (PT5) investigation/clearance. A financial disclosure statement may be required. Applicants are subject to reasonable-suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Meet time-in-grade restrictions by the announcement closing date.
• Successfully complete a background security investigation and receive favorable adjudication; obtain and maintain a Public Trust Moderate (PT5) investigation/clearance.
• A bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level degree with major study in an academic field related to medicine, health sciences, or allied sciences appropriate to the work; the degree must be from a program accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education when the degree was obtained.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 in the Federal service, including leading development, implementation, evaluation, or improvement of quality management systems in CLIA-regulated infectious disease laboratories.
• Analyze complex scientific, technical, or regulatory information and develop reports, briefings, recommendations, or other decision-support products concerning diagnostic testing, laboratory quality, regulatory compliance, or public health programs.
• Lead laboratory quality assessments, audits, or evaluations to identify risks, deficiencies, or performance trends and recommend corrective, preventive, or quality-improvement actions.
• Provide scientific, technical, or regulatory consultation to leadership and multidisciplinary stakeholders on complex issues involving diagnostic testing, laboratory practices, quality systems, or regulatory compliance.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Provide clear, specific experience documentation, including exact employment dates and hours worked per week when applicable.
• Foreign education used to meet qualification requirements must be evaluated as equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, or qualifying course credit must have been awarded by an accredited U.S. college or university.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level scientific and technical leadership for developing, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving quality management systems within CLIA-regulated CDC infectious disease laboratories.
• Identify, evaluate, and analyze complex scientific, technical, and programmatic issues and assess their impact on public health policies, laboratory programs, and diagnostic testing requirements.
• Provide scientific and technical oversight of laboratory quality activities, including reviewing and evaluating results of periodic internal quality audits.
• Serve as the CLIA Deputy Laboratory Director for CDC Infectious Disease CLIA-regulated Laboratories.
• Serve as a senior scientific advisor and management coordinator for CDC infectious disease CLIA national compliance program activities.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Incentives may be authorized, subject to factors including funds availability; possible incentives include moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentives, student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, and creditable service for annual leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior