U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 9 hours ago
Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Oklahoma City, OK
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
1+ years expThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist who will identify, distribute, and balance work while coaching team members. The role involves preparing reports, maintaining records, resolving complaints, and providing guidance on technical aspects of laboratory testing.
National DefenseGovernmentPublic SafetyHealthcareMedicalNational Security
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
The Lead CLS may act as a liaison to the supervisor and other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty
Duties may include - but are not limited to - orientation and evaluating the competency of assigned staff including identification of continuing education and training needs - coordinating daily activity of the lab section(s) - writing or modifying technical procedures - providing technical instruction - ensuring that policies - procedures and regulatory requirements are followed - advising on course of action to follow when results or samples obtained are unacceptable and coordinating or performing quality control reviews and method verification activities Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation
In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
Recognizes deviation from expected results
Analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
Implements policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
Accurately performs pre-analytical - analytical and post-analytical phases of testing and analyze and interprets laboratory tests
Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
Interprets findings and makes recommendations
Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
Prepares reagents and primary reference materials - assembles equipment - verifies correct instrument operation
Standardizes - performs - and calculates results for a variety of complex tests such as special stains and procedures associated with whole blood and microbiological specimens - special cytochemical stains - body fluid analysis differentials and smears - cardiac panels - crossmatching blood - etc
Correlates quantitative - biochemical - physiologic - and morphologic - and morphologic data with other laboratory data and/or other patient data to verify results
Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports 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
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
Reviews test results to detect clerical errors - significant analytical errors - and unusual laboratory results
Assists in training new personnel - lower graded personnel - and students from appropriate training programs
Maintains safety and cleanliness of laboratory
Follows all appropriate OSHA an HIPPA guidelines
Performs any other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
United States Citizenship
A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program
The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
Possession of a certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
Candidates must meet one of the certification options below: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT or Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f)
One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments
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
Blood Bank experience is preferred
Benefits
Competitive salary and regular salary increases
37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
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
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
Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Company
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Welcome to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Official LinkedIn page.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Charles Worthington
Chief Technology Officer
Helga Rippen
Chief Interoperability and Veteran Access Officer
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