Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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.

This position requires that at least 25% of the technologist time is spent performing the following duties as delegated by the Supervisor, Lab Manager, Section Chief, or Chief of Pathology: Perform more complex Laboratory Functions like Evaluation/ Modification and Implementation of new methods or techniques to improve or expand services. Develop and recommend protocols for performance of test and evaluation of results. Ensure that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies. Recognize methodology limitations such as linearity, interferences, sensitivity, and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of test results. Perform instrument validation studies to include Patient Correlation, Linearity, calibration Verification, Analytical Measurement Range, and Precision studies. This will include the recording, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results. Assist the Supervisor to investigate and correct daily errors found on patient results. Collect data for Quality Assurance Reports. Provide professional and technical advice to technicians, technologists, and other Health Care Professionals Assist Supervisor with initial Staff training, six month, and annual competency assessments for each area of department. Perform Quality Control (Liquid and/or electronic) and troubleshoot methodologies and or instrumentation as needed. Utilizes knowledge of regulations and checklists from CAP, JCAHO, AABB, FDA or other governing regulatory bodies, to prepare lab for biennial on-site CAP Lab inspection and biennial Lab self-inspection. Incumbent organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Be a Key Operator on a major analyzer. Troubleshoot interface issues between the Vista LIS, instrumentation and corresponding middleware. Review assigned QC 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 acceptability of results. Proficiency testing: oversee assignment of samples and monitor handling of results. Review of abnormal & critical patient results daily for accuracy and completion, investigate and document if follow up is needed. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm M-F, rotating weekends/holidays (7:00am - 3:30pm) Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92766-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN10HRCCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.

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/. IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application. A screenshot of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not an acceptable substitute for your transcript and will not be used in qualifying.