Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The Pathology and Laboratory Service at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is recruiting a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist. The position oversees specialty laboratory operations, assigns and manages work, trains and evaluates staff, ensures regulatory compliance, maintains records, provides technical guidance, and coordinates quality control, method verification, procedures, and laboratory activities.

Total Rewards - Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Perform routine, specialized, and complex laboratory testing on a variety of patient specimens. Analyze, interpret, validate, and report laboratory test results accurately and in a timely manner. Evaluate specimen acceptability and ensure proper collection, handling, processing, and preparation procedures are followed. Operate, calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment. Identify testing problems, equipment malfunctions, and discrepancies, and take appropriate corrective action. Perform and monitor quality control and quality assurance activities to ensure accurate and reliable test results. Conduct additional or confirmatory testing as needed to clarify abnormal or unexpected findings. Recognize and promptly communicate critical laboratory results to healthcare providers. Provide technical guidance and consultation regarding testing procedures, specimen requirements, and test result interpretation. Assist with developing, evaluating, and implementing new laboratory methods, procedures, and instrumentation. Maintain accurate records and documentation of testing, quality control, maintenance, and corrective actions. Review laboratory data to identify analytical errors, clerical errors, and unusual test results. Correlate laboratory findings with patient information to ensure accuracy and validity of results. Maintain adequate inventory levels of laboratory supplies and reagents and notify management of shortages or outdated materials. Assist in training and mentoring new employees, students, and other laboratory personnel. Work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to support quality patient care. Ensure compliance with laboratory accreditation, regulatory, and performance improvement standards. Follow established safety, infection control, biosafety, OSHA, HIPAA, and emergency management requirements. Maintain professional credentials and competency requirements. Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51214-A

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 evaluation. 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/.