Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist Job in Roseburg, OR

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The incumbent serves as a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) over assigned laboratory specialty area/s. The incumbent technically assists the Supervisory Laboratory Manager by working in collaboration with team members for effective and efficient operation of the laboratory The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of operation in their assigned area/s including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and regulatory compliance.

The incumbent will be considered the Subject Matter Expert (SME) of their assigned area/s and is responsible for ensuring compliance within the boundaries, rules, and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as (but not limited to) College of American Pathologist (CAP) and The Joint Commission. 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 management. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for their assigned area/s. The incumbent will be assigned specialty area/s to best meet mission requirements clinical laboratory at the discretion of Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and/or the Supervisory Laboratory Manager.

Specialty areas may include (but are not limited to) Shipping & Receiving, Urinalysis, Chemistry (including Special Chemistry and Toxicology), Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, and/or Microbiology. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The CLS Lead may work off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need and will rotate coverage duties with assigned staff.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Duties/Tasks 75%

- Independently performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including day-to-day operations of
testing and tasks within the Clinical Laboratory Scientist occupation.

- The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of
laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements.

- The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry,
microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Testing procedures are performed on a
variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods.

- In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of
instrumentation and troubleshooting. They perform advanced and complex laboratory procedures,
recognizes deviation from expected results, and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific
principles. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity
of test results, and the need for additional tests. They recognize and communicate pre-defined
critical results affecting patient care.

- Documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to
test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.

- Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.

Lead Duties/Tasks 25%

- Directs staff follow all policies and procedures.

- Communicates with department supervisors on all outstanding issues.

- Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs laboratory instrumentation. Monitors instrument
maintenance and ensures performance either by delegating responsibility or performing necessary
tasks. Provides technical advice to staff. The incumbent is considered the subject matter expert
when there are questions of a technical or professional nature.

- Reviews the work of other CLSs and students to check for proper documentation, accuracy, and
completeness as needed.

- Serves as a liaison between laboratory management and staff.

- Communicates the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values.

Work Schedule: Various Shifts based on Lab needs
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 30874-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact V20CompensationTeam@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  

• 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/27/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12813885.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.