Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Fayetteville, North Carolina

Salary Range: $96480 - $125429 Per Year

Job Summary: Serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites (i.e. Health Care Center) as assigned.

Major Duties:

• The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the full performance level but has higher levels of professional responsibilities, expertise, and authority for a specific department (i.e. Core Lab, Microbiology, or Blood Bank) and will rotate with other CLS's within the department. Has professional oversight responsibilities and responsibility for specific large scale automated analytical instrument systems; a specific area of laboratory functions, supply functions, quality control review, new method development, and employee or student training; and provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and CLS's on all shifts. The duties and responsibilities of the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist includes but are not limited to the following: Performs all of the duties outlined in this functional statement in the Hematology and Chemistry department at the Medical Center and Health Care Centers. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Rotating weekends and holiday. Also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demand. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized

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. 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 (for example, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.) Certification. - 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). Experience. At least 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: - 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. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, sitting, transporting samples between work areas, stretching, reaching, bending and lifting of reagents/supplies for instruments. Moderate risks of discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurrent possible exposure to hazards such as infectious, chemical and/or environmental agents. Safety guidelines on safe equipment operation must be adhered to. There is possibility of constant stress and mental pressure to complete all testing in an accurate and timely manner for quality patient care.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/26/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12866075. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-26