Summary

The employee is assigned complex - specialized duties beyond routine lab work. A higher-level understanding of Microbiology - Molecular Biology - Mycology - Mycobacteriology & Serology testing is needed. The work performed may be in a variety of lab disciplines including those outside of Micro. Assignments may include but are not limited to test development - QA - maintenance - QC - create/review procedures - training/competency - & act as a subject matter expert in Microbiology and its subspecialties.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 03/05/2025.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency - must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education Requirement - 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments 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 Preferred Experience: Five or more years Microbiology experience including bacteriology - mycology - mycobacteriology - serology - and molecular testing
• Experience with quality assurance and control programs (including IQCP) - accreditation requirements and inspections - validations/implementations of new assays/instruments - and training/competency
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and light carrying (15-44 pounds) - use of both hands and fingers - standing for 2-3 hours - ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors - mentally and emotionally stable - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - depth perception and ability to work with solvents
• Frequent keyboarding and computer work required
• Work Conditions may include but not limited to: The work involves regular recurring risk of discomforts associated with working in a clinical laboratory - e.g. - working with irritant reagents.

Duties

• The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati - OH and Fort Thomas - KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH - Northern Kentucky - and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue - KY
• Florence - KY
• Lawrenceburg - IN
• Hamilton - OH
• Clermont County - OH - and Georgetown - OH
• The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division
• Assignments
• These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment
• For all GS-12 assignments above the FPL - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time
• Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments
• Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist
• Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks - priorities - goals and achievements are coordinated with management
• Responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports - analysis of testing methodologies - training - instrumentation and compliance
• Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty
• The duties and responsibilities of the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist may include - but are not limited to - any of the following: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation in Microbiology Bacteriology - Mycology - Mycobacteriology - Serology - Immunology - Molecular and Environmental Microbiology
• In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment in Microbiology - Mycobacteriology - Molecular Microbiology - or others as required
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction in these same departments
• Assists the supervisor in creating new or modifying existing procedures as testing requirements change
• Leads verifications and validations for new equipment - reagents - or tests brought into the department
• Reports back to supervisor on progress and issues
• Participates in quality assurance efforts by identifying quality improvement indicators for section operations
• Develops a system to monitor indicators to effectively identify problem and/or potential problem areas
• Recommends and implements corrective actions when indicated to improve patient care efforts of the P&LMS
• Reviews regulatory compliance requirements (CAP checklists - Joint Commission standards - Patient Safety Goals) and works with the Microbiology supervisor to implement policies and procedures to assure compliance
• Create any Individualized quality control plans (IQCP) - as needed and applicable
• Monitors and screens all Microbiology orders for appropriateness - using established criteria and requiring an understanding of disease entities and/or clinical situations
• Organizes and prepares training and competency of staff including initial - semiannual - and annual for all department testing
• Evaluates the validity of statistical data in relation to the test system and assay procedures
• Correlates quantitative - biochemical - physiologic and morphologic data with other laboratory and/or other patient information to verify results
• Performs additional tests as per department's protocol - to certify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports via computer and telephone
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures for all departments in the laboratory
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm - including rotating weekends and holidays - 7:00am - 3:30pm
• subject to change to meet the needs of the agency
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not require Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiology/PD927660 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None