Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary 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. Responsibilities The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist position will be located in St. James, MO until this position will transfer to the Rolla Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Rolla, Missouri. Training for this position will occur at the Truman VA Hospital campus in Columbia, MO until new facility is operational. The duties for the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist are, but not limited to: Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current laboratory regulatory, accreditation, and VA requirements. Performs testing in assigned laboratory specialties, including chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology, using manual and automated methods. Performs and oversees pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, including specimen collection support, specimen processing, test performance, result verification, documentation, and reporting. Coordinates daily laboratory operations at the Rolla CBOC and ensures continuity of services in collaboration with the Harry S. Truman VA Laboratory. Provides day-to-day lead direction to two Clinical Laboratory Scientists and three phlebotomists. Identifies, distributes, balances, and prioritizes work; monitors completion of assignments; coaches staff; and facilitates resolution of workflow and technical problems. Monitors quality-control systems, quality-assurance measures, instrument performance, maintenance records, proficiency-testing results, turnaround time data, workload data, specimen-quality indicators, and other assigned laboratory performance measures. Collects, reviews, trends, documents, and reports quality-control and laboratory performance-monitoring data to the Harry S. Truman VA Laboratory in accordance with established reporting schedules, laboratory policies, and regulatory or accreditation requirements. Identifies quality or performance variances, initiates or assists with corrective actions within delegated authority, documents actions taken, and promptly communicates significant deficiencies, unresolved issues, equipment failures, testing interruptions, and patient-safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor or technical representative at the main facility. Conducts quality control, calibration verification as assigned, routine Maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repair of laboratory instrumentation. Coordinates service, technical support, and escalation with the Harry S. Performs work requiring broad, independent technical judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision; assessing situations; considering available options; and taking appropriate action consistent with laboratory policy and scope of practice. Generates laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory information system and edits and verifies results in accordance with established procedures and authorization levels. Provides technical guidance to physicians, nurses, phlebotomy personnel, and other clinical staff regarding testing capabilities, specimen requirements, collection procedures, result interpretation, critical-value communication, and laboratory policies. Prepares reports and maintains records of work status; resolves routine informal complaints; reports performance, progress, behavioral concerns, and training needs of the team; and provides information to the supervisor regarding recognition, staffing, reassignment, and personnel needs. Assists the supervisor with writing or revising technical procedures; provides technical instruction; ensures policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements are followed; advises staff regarding unacceptable specimens or results; and coordinates or performs quality-control review and method verification activities. Works as a team member to provide backup support for administrative and operational tasks, including timekeeping, inventory maintenance, result reporting, and other duties needed to support continuity of laboratory operations. Communicates and supports the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values, including effective coordination between the Rolla CBOC and the Harry S. Truman VA Laboratory. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, Full-Time Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 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. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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). Grade Determinations: GS-12 Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. (b) Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation. (c) Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. (d) Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. (e) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. (f) 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. Reference: 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. Education 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.