Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Description:

Incumbent serves in multiple sections of a clinical laboratory and is assigned specialized, complex laboratory tasks beyond providing patient results. Assignments may include laboratory test development or modification method validation/performance evaluation and/or providing consultation to health care providers. The incumbent facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks are completed and team priorities are coordinated with management.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.)

• Certification. (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
• (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.
• NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director,

• English Language Proficiency. CLSs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.

Grade Determinations :

GS-12
Experience. Must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
2. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
3. Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
4. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
5. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
6. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results.

Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II, Appendix G24. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.