Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Cincinnati, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs advanced clinical laboratory functions, with at least 25% of technologist time devoted to duties delegated by the Supervisor, Lab Manager, Section Chief, or Chief of Pathology. The role evaluates, modifies, and implements methods or techniques; develops testing protocols; ensures compliance with accrediting requirements; and assesses methodological limitations when interpreting test validity. The incumbent conducts instrument validation studies, supports quality assurance and quality control, troubleshoots laboratory methods, instruments, and interfaces, and provides technical guidance and staff training. The position also supports inspections, proficiency testing, documentation, and review of abnormal and critical results. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends and holidays from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Telework is not available. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be 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.
• Meet one of the stated certification options: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT, subject to the stated restrictions for generalist positions and unrelated lab sections.
• For GS-12 assignments, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 level.
• Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties and complex clinical laboratory problems.
• Skill in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve complex problems.
• 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 regarding testing, specimen requirements, and results.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified candidates cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must meet the stated security investigation, onboarding, identification, influenza vaccination, and other employment conditions.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of Microbiology or Lead Tech experience.
• Experience with quality assurance and control programs, including IQCP; accreditation requirements and inspections; validation or implementation of new assays or instruments; and training or competency assessments.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, modify, and implement new laboratory methods or techniques to improve or expand services.
• Develop and recommend protocols for test performance and evaluation of results.
• Ensure laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agency requirements.
• Recognize limitations in methodology, including linearity, interferences, sensitivity, and specificity, and consider them when determining the validity of test results.
• Perform instrument validation studies, including patient correlation, linearity, calibration verification, analytical measurement range, and precision studies; record, statistically analyze, and interpret results.
• Assist the Supervisor in investigating and correcting daily errors in patient results.
• Collect data for Quality Assurance Reports.
• Provide professional and technical advice to technicians, technologists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Assist the Supervisor with initial staff training and six-month and annual competency assessments for each department area.
• Perform liquid and/or electronic quality control and troubleshoot methodologies or instrumentation as needed.
• Use regulatory requirements and checklists from CAP, JCAHO, AABB, FDA, or other governing bodies to prepare for biennial CAP laboratory inspections and biennial laboratory self-inspections.
• Organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines.
• Serve as a key operator on a major analyzer.
• Troubleshoot interface issues between the Vista LIS, instrumentation, and corresponding middleware.
• Review assigned quality-control files and conduct follow-up investigation and troubleshooting as needed.
• Write, update, and review procedure manuals as assigned.
• Review reagent lot-to-lot studies and assess whether results are acceptable.
• Oversee proficiency-testing sample assignments and monitor handling of results.
• Review abnormal and critical patient results daily for accuracy and completion; investigate and document when follow-up is needed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval; award amount may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits for employees and families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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