Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is only open to current, permanent employees of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist -Chemistry performs testing in the Chemistry Section which includes but is not limited to: Routine Chemistry, Immunoassay, Osmolarity, STAT HIV Exposure needle stick profile, and Urinalysis including automated and manual microscopic examination. They also perform a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks in the following areas: Routine and Special Chemistry, Toxicology, Urinalysis, and Clinical Microscopy.

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to):

• Performing a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing, reporting, documenting, troubleshooting, maintenance, and other tasks of the Clinical Laboratory Science occupation;
• Receiving, accessioning and processing incoming samples per Standard Operating Procedure from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics;
• Looking up orders, results and other pertinent patient information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and entering results and other relevant information into the EMR;
• Verifying and reporting results promptly, communicating and documenting all "Critical Values" ("Panic Values") and "Significant Results" according to laboratory policy;
• Recognizing Delta Alerts and taking appropriate action to ensure sample integrity, accurate identification and valid result reporting;
• Collaborating with healthcare professionals, physicians, and pathologists to clarify test results to support clinical decisions;
• Maintaining and documenting optimal laboratory equipment function, promptly informing the Section Supervisor of any deviations or malfunctions;
• Identifying deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction, analyzing and correcting problems using scientific principles, documenting corrective actions and informing the Section Supervisor of corrective actions taken;
• completing all quality assurance monitors according to SOP;
• Adhering to safety policies, standard precautions and using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on situation;
• Generating incident reports as needed;
• Training new employees, students, residents and clinicians on test performance;
• Accounting for all accessioned specimens by reviewing the Incomplete Test Status Log throughout the day;
• Reviewing work to ensure patient results are accurate, initiating corrective actions as needed, and informing Supervisor of errors;

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays as needed for clinical coverage (subject to change based on needs of the Agency)
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 Latoya.Luc@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 629-01447F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 identification 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 "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below
• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
  • (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
  • (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
  • (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12
Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
2. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
3. Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
4. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
5. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
6. 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: The candidate should possess strong analytical and diagnostic skills with extensive experience in chemistry, including performing method validations for chemistry assays. They must have at least 5 years of experience in a diagnostic chemistry or core laboratory staff with administrative or managerial responsibilities. They should demonstrate excellent leadership abilities, capable of supervising laboratory staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and have general knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.

The candidate should demonstrate a positive and encouraging attitude, with the ability to inspire and motivate others while fostering a productive and collaborative work environment.

The ideal candidate would hold MT/MLS/CLS(ASCP) certification and ASCP Advanced Specialist Certification in Chemistry, SC(ASCP).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Selections will be made without regard to Veterans Preference.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• CV/Resume
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veterans' preference in accordance with OCHCO Bulletin dated 9/25/2025.

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