Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Microbiology)

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. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but not limited to: The position is within the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a large and highly complex Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Facility that performs over 2.5 million standard billable tests annually. The incumbent facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, goals and achievements are coordinated with the section supervisor. 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 work performed can be in a variety of laboratory disciplines, such as bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, flow cytometry, genetics, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and/or virology. Such positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measures; collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients; and provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals, and others in the medical center setting, including the public. The CLS Leads a unit or team of employees performing work at the GS-7/9/11 level. S/he provides guidance and technical direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team. S/he ensures the work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out. The CLS leads works with the supervisor in the assignment of functions to team members to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities. Assignments may also include laboratory test development or modification, method validation/performance evaluation, quality assurance activities, and/or providing consultation services to health care providers. The Lead CLS may act as a liaison to the supervisor and other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. The Lead CLS monitors the status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and guidelines set forth by the section supervisor. The Lead CLS must be familiar with and be compliant with all accreditation agencies in their department (CAP, FDA, AABB, JC, and IG). S/he applies laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. In collaboration with the supervisor, assesses procedures and policies to ensure compliance with laboratory and Medical Center regulatory requirements and standards. The Lead CLS will revise existing laboratory policy and procedure manuals as assigned by the Supervisor according to regulatory agencies' requirements. They will develop policy and procedure manuals for new procedures. The Lead CLS will assist the Supervisor in administrative, management, staffing, and other Supervisory activities as assigned. The Lead CLS will attend meetings as required. They may be asked to participate in committees and assist in gathering information for committees. They may also be involved in laboratory process improvement projects. S/he maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program. The Lead CLS will be responsible for all other related/collateral duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800-1630 with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. 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. 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 (Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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

Created: 2026-03-16