Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Castle Point, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs a broad range of clinical laboratory testing and tasks, including advanced and complex procedures. The role recognizes deviations from expected results, analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles, and supports the reliable operation and quality of laboratory services. The position includes maintaining instrumentation and preventive maintenance, performing quality assurance activities, evaluating and implementing laboratory methods, and providing technical guidance and training to staff and clinical colleagues.

The role is scheduled from 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays possible to meet coverage needs. Some travel between Castle Point and Montrose VA Medical Centers may be required. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Work is primarily in an office or clinic setting, with a smaller portion in a laboratory environment. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; the potential award is up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or qualifying categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT, subject to the stated limitations for generalist positions and unrelated laboratory sections.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) for the GS-12 assignment.
• Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties and complex problems in clinical laboratory practice.
• Skill in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve complex or 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 physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff on testing, specimen requirements, and results.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis for illegal drug screening.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after that period.
• Applicants using foreign education must provide the required equivalency evaluation or other documentation specified in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Perform a broad range of clinical laboratory procedures, including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupation.
• Perform advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognize deviations from expected results; and analyze and correct problems using scientific principles.
• Ensure completion of the laboratory preventive maintenance program for all instruments.
• Calibrate or standardize equipment, troubleshoot malfunctions, make simple repairs, or identify when external services are needed.
• Perform and document quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and performance-improvement theories.
• Ensure data transmission and calculation validation checks are completed within stated timeframes.
• Ensure completion of validations for new reagent lots and shipments.
• Adhere to workplace biosafety and biosecurity practices and regulations.
• Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions.
• Answer inquiries about test results, methodology, test specificity and sensitivity, and factors that influence test results.
• Interpret results and suggest follow-up test selection or procedures.
• Evaluate and implement new laboratory techniques and procedures, including equipment and method comparisons, validations, quality-control ranges, new instrumentation and reagent lots, and reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge.
• Interpret findings and make recommendations.
• Maintain quality-control files and upload monthly quality-control data to a specified quality-assurance program.
• Provide or ensure training in theory, technical skills, safety protocols, and laboratory test procedures for new employees, students, and residents.
• Manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
• Provide or coordinate staff development and training, and provide guidance and technical direction to clinical and other staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program: eligible participants may receive an award of up to $200,000, subject to approval and program rules.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child care subsidy may be available after 60 days of employment to eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible child-care costs, subject to the stated monthly maximum and eligibility rules.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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