Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/12/2026

Basic Requirements:

• 1
• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• 2
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• 3
• 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
• 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 The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in #3 above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• GRADE DETERMINATION Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS-12 (a) Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience
• Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
• (b) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology concepts - principles - practices and methodologies sufficient to perform the full range of maintenance of technical - quality assurance and safety accreditation/testing programs
• Skill in applying new scientific/technological developments and theories to laboratory testing and a grasp of complex laboratory testing issues
• Knowledge of mathematics and statistics as related to quality control - quality assurance - proficiency testing - inspection and accreditation - and continuous quality improvement
• Knowledge of the types of surveillance - ability to collect data necessary to monitor variables that affect quality of services - and skill in evaluating - interpreting and teaching others to use quality control procedures and implementing corrective actions
• Knowledge of Federal - VHA - and state laws - regulations - reference standards - medicolegal responsibilities - and certifying and accrediting agency requirements in order to carry out the work in each ancillary testing site
• Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The duties of the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist includes but is not limited to: Communicates the organization's strategic plan - mission - vision - and values
• Identifies - distributes - balances work - coaches - and facilitates with problem solving methods
• Responsible for all aspects of operation - including assignment of work responsibilities - workload management - and completion of assignments for staff Maintains an awareness of current accreditation - regulatory requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations Coordinates training of new employees within laboratory Reports performance - progress - and training needs of the team and on behavioral problems
• Reviews training records to ensure new staff are competent prior to working independently in the assigned section
• Establishes a supply/reagent ordering system to ensure a sufficient level for uninterrupted testing
• Evaluates suitability of specimens for analysis - requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable and properly documents such actions
• Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained
• Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact brandon.hughes2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #:92468-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized