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. Responsibilities 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 Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Education Transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following: A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree. A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. PLEASE 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.