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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 3 hours ago

Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Columbia, SC

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

4+ years exp

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist to facilitate team processes and oversee operations in the Chemistry/Urinalysis Sections. The role involves performing laboratory tests, ensuring quality control, and providing technical guidance to staff while collaborating with other departments.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable

Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained

Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols

Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction

Locates and implements corrections

Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports

Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts and maintains instruments

Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring

Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs

Documents and maintain all quality control - maintenance - and corrective action logs

Performs instrument to instrument correlations - new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance

Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures

Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. - history - medications) to verify results.Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results

Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly

Tracks down "missing" tubes - samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation

Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system

Successfully performs CAP surveys - linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test

Reviews proficiency testing results prior to submitting to CAP.When equipment - control and/or calibrator problems present themselves - is able to troubleshoot and work with the manufacturer's hotline technicians to correct repairable problems

Documents corrective action in "corrective action logs"

Performs and documents daily - weekly - and monthly maintenance on analyzers

Participates in quality and performance improvement activities by collecting and reporting data as requested by the supervisor or performance improvement coordinator

Serves as a primary operator and assumes all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the supervisor

Reviews all new procedures - initially and annually thereafter - documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure

Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures

Plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols and acceptable clinical laboratory practices

Performs other directly related duties as assigned

Qualification

Generalist certification (MLS/MT)Laboratory instrumentation maintenanceQuality control proceduresClinical Chemistry experienceProcedure developmentTechnical guidanceStaff trainingTeam collaboration

Required

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

Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below

Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT

Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT

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 - Laboratory Director - or National Quality and Compliance Officer)

Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicable

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions

If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements - employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted

Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard

Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation

GS12 Grade Determinations: GS11 Assignment: This is considered FPL for a CLS

A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory

The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements

The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry - microbiology - immunology - hematology - and immunohematology

Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods

In addition to routine testing - the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting

The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional tests

Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer - analyzer specialist - primary operator on new test systems - quality control specialist - supply control - and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program

This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing

These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision

The CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of action

This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective manner

GS12 Assignments: For all GS-12 assignments above the FPL - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time

Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments

Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments

Knowledge - Skill - and Ability (KSA) Statements - In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice

Skill to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair laboratory instrumentation

Ability to develop procedures for new tests - and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and 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 a wide variety of individuals including physicians - nurses - and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing - specimen requirements and results

Preferred

Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of current or recent creditable experience working in Clinical Chemistry at a moderate to large size healthcare facility is preferred