Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiology/Molecular

The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richmond VA Medical Center is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) to perform lead duties over staff at the GS-11 level. The Lead CLS communicates the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision and values. The incumbent identifies, distributes and balances work, plus coaches and facilitates with problem solving methods. The Lead CLS is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty.

VA Careers - Clinical Laboratory Scientist: https://youtube.com/embed/eSDGhIwZKdw

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties/Tasks: The duties and responsibilities of the Lead CLS include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversees/performs all elements of patient specimen testing per established SOPs. Knowledgeable of microbiology and molecular testing methods, CLSI standards and other resources. Verifies accuracy of results using culture/testing activity review and annual interface transmission review. Takes initiative to solve discrepancies/issues/malfunctions with minimal supervisory intervention. Assists with maintenance and writing of SOPs.
• The Lead CLS will assist with departmental management items and goals. Each Lead will oversee an assigned section (usually split between bacteriology and Molecular) of the lab, become a technical expert of their assigned area, while remaining knowledgeable of other lab sections, so that they are a resource for the technologists and can cover when other leadership members are not available.
• Coordinates and monitors all elements of the departmental QA/QM policy. Prepares reports, maintain records, data analysis for presentations/committees/management as needed. Assists with ensuring all regulations are met. Performs, documents and reviews quality control according to SOPs. Actively participates in performance improvement initiatives both departmental and organizational.
• Ensures all instruments and equipment are maintained properly according to manufacturer specifications. Performs and documents corrective action for QC and other issues. Schedule repairs/preventative maintenance and performs instrument function checks/verifications/validation testing and documentation in a timely manner.
• Plans and schedules on-going work to include bench assignments and workflow adjusting staffing as needed to meet work goals, objectives and management strategies. Serves as a timekeeper for the time and leave group. Aids supervisor in managing inventory, ordering and receipt of supplies. Functions as a point of contact in the supervisor's absence.
• Performs/ensures proficiency surveys are completed by assigned due dates. Completes all documentation, review of results and submits timely. Obtains acceptable/satisfactory scores for proficiency testing and educational surveys.
• Interacts with all customers and coworkers in a professional manner, both written and verbal, setting a positive image for the laboratory. Communicates effectively, aids to resolve conflicts/issues to ensure efficient operation of the department while promoting teamwork.
• Effectively incorporates, manages, and coordinates all training in the department. Perform and manage CLS competencies to meet regulations in accordance with the competency SOP. Completes training by specified due dates and satisfies stated number of continuing education hours annually.
• Follows and enforces all information security policies. Adheres to all Safety regulations and encourages others to be compliant.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0730 - 1600
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Recruitment Incentive (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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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).
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification:
  • Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
    • 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.
• Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.
• Grade Determination:
  • Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12.
    • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
      • 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.
    • Assignment. For all lead assignments, the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties over staff one grade level below. 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.

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).

Preferred Experience:

• 3 years of full-time experience in Microbiology
• ASCP/AMT certified
• Lead in quality systems specific to Clinical Microbiology

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the 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 to 8 hours); sitting (up to 8 hours); near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of color.

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/.

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.