Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The incumbent 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 as assigned. A Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) at the GS-12 level carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the full performance level with higher levels of professional responsibilities - expertise - and authority for a specific department (i.e. Core Lab - Microbiology - or Blood Bank)

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.

• 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. A 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)
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• 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 by ASCP or AMT
• Exception for Non-Certified.(a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.(b) Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. A 7405(c)(2).(c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.(d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.(e)Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-0644-12 Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Assignment
• 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
• Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-0644-12 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
• Assignment
• The Lead CLS communicates the organization's strategic plan - mission - vision - and values
• The Lead CLS identifies - distributes - balances work - coaches - and facilitates with problem solving methods
• The Lead CLS prepares reports and maintains records of work status
• resolves simple - informal complaints
• reports performance - progress - and training needs of the team and on behavioral problems
• and provides information on promotions - reassignment - recognition of outstanding performance - and personnel needs
• The Lead CLS is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty - including assignment of work responsibilities - workload management - and completion of assignments for staff at or above the FPL as well as preparation and maintenance of records and reports - analysis of testing methodologies - training - instrumentation - and compliance
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (under 15 pounds)
• Light Carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers
• Both hands required for fine-manipulation and simple grasping
• walking (up to 8 hours)
• standing (up to8 hours)
• sitting (up to 8 hours)
• near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• both eyes required
• depth perception
• ability to distinguish shades of color.

• Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf 1
• Core Laboratory: Performs all of the duties outlined in this functional statement in the Hematology and Chemistry department at the Medical Center and Health Care Centers
• 2
• Microbiology/Blood Bank: Performs all of the duties outlined in this functional statement in the Microbiology and Blood Bank departments at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the VISTA system
• 5
• 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
• 6
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• 7
• 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
• 8
• 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
• 9
• 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
• 10
• 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
• 11.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
• 12.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
• 13
• 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
• 14
• Participates in quality and performance improvement activities by collecting and reporting data as requested by the supervisor or performance improvement coordinator
• 15
• Serves as a primary operator and assumes all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the supervisor
• 16
• Reviews all new procedures - initially and annually thereafter - documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure
• Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures
• 17
• Performs - document and complete all competency assessments - mandatory education and training
• 18
• Maintains licensure/certification through continuing education activities - if applicable
• 19
• Performs other related duties within technical capacity as assigned by the supervisor
• 20.The Lead 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
• 21.Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00a.m
• to 6:30 p.m.
• rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized