Lead Clinical Lab Scientist

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas and operates within the Pathology & Laboratory Service. Duties include but are not limited to: Oversees all aspects of the assigned specialty area(s), including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, evaluation and selection of testing methodologies, staff training, instrument management, and regulatory compliance. Facilitates coordination among team members to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and specialty area priorities and goals are met. Works collaboratively with other leads, the Supervisory CLS, Quality Manager, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Laboratory Manager, and Laboratory Director to align specialty operations with overall laboratory missions and objectives. Serves as the subject matter expert within the assigned specialty area(s), providing authoritative advice on complex or emerging tests, interpretation of results, and alternate testing strategies. Advises all organizational levels on the appropriateness, clinical context, and utility of specialized tests, considering test specificity, sensitivity, and potential interferences. Develops and revises policies, protocols, and SOPs for the assigned specialty area(s), ensuring they meet or exceed regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards. Modifies or adapts new methods and technologies to improve or expand testing services, validating performance, and establishing reference intervals using sound statistical and analytical methods. Ensures that testing in assigned area(s) meets accrediting agency (CAP, TJC, CLIA, FDA) standards and identifies areas for improvement. Reviews accreditation checklists, identifies deficiencies, implements corrective actions, and monitors effectiveness. Coordinates proficiency testing assignments with the Quality Manager, investigates exceptions, and applies corrective actions as needed. Works with the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) during installation and upgrades to the LIS (e.g., VistA, CPRS) to ensure accuracy, data integrity, and efficient workflow in the specialty area(s). Attends vendor training and serves as a resource for troubleshooting complex instrument issues, coordinating with vendor field service engineers to resolve operational problems. Trains and mentors employees, students, and staff from other in laboratory operations, policies, and SOPs related to the specialty area(s). Provides guidance on the use of document management systems to ensure proper development, review, and updating of laboratory documents. Manages reagent, consumable, and supply inventories, ensuring adequate stock, proper storage, and cost-effective utilization. • Conducts market research, obtains GS-0644-12, Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist 3 vendor quotes, and collaborates with Supervisory CLS or Laboratory Manager on procurements and vendor evaluations. Identifies and corrects issues related to test performance, sample integrity, instrument malfunctions, and workflow bottlenecks. Implements solutions that improve the efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time of testing, ensuring that all specimens are accounted for, tested, and resulted within established timeframes. Evaluates test data against assay procedures, linearity, interferences, and established reference intervals. Integrates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data to verify results, making informed recommendations for confirmatory testing or follow-up procedures. Provides clear, courteous, and effective communication with healthcare providers, patients, and other stakeholders. Other duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday • Friday, 08:00am • 04:30pm; Rotating Holidays and Weekends Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 53463F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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). Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: 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. OR Eligible to take the certification examination. You must submit a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating that you are eligible to take the certification examination. NOTE: Possession of one of the following certifications automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed. (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 (related to this position) by ASCP or AMT. Certification. 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 (related to this position) by ASCP or AMT. GS-12 GRADE DETERMINATION: LEAD CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11 Note: To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience also had to be gained while having an active: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT (or) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT (or) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT related to the lab section for this position Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current CLS practices. The experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a CLS in the health care field. Research laboratory experience does not fulfill this requirement. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to CLS experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level (FPL), the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity, and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Reference • GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Specialist Experience is the following: This is considered full performance level 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is above the full-performance level (GS-11) for this occupation. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work for this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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 dentification 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). IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by the US Dept. of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the US Dept. of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Administrative Duties Performs administrative duties as necessary for laboratory services. Primary responsibilities are to receive and direct calls to appropriate laboratory department/section. Provides guidance to clinical and non-clinical staff on clinical and anatomical laboratory testing services. Documents customer concerns, complaints, or compliments. Advises clinical and non-clinical staff on proper ordering protocols for patient testing and fiscal efficiency based on established guidelines or pathologist approval. Performs supplemental testing (add-on) function for the clinical laboratory and anatomical pathology. Maintains technical knowledge of specimen requirements, storage, online laboratory services manual, and established policy or procedure to identify viable samples for the request determining suitability for requested testing, to include specimen location and routing for supplemental testing. Maintains required information of all calls, physician encounters, and supplemental request. Reports trends and perspective solutions to management for monthly quality indicator reports. Practices high reliability skills and system redesign concepts to solve problems using a cascade of probabilities starting from the simplest, to the most complex of solutions, using limited resources and a willingness to stop the line when needed.