Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Quick Facts

• Role: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 08:00am–04:30pm; rotating holidays and weekends

Description

The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist oversees all aspects of a clinical laboratory specialty area, including testing methodology selection, staff training, instrument management, and regulatory compliance. The role serves as a subject matter expert for complex/emerging tests, interprets results, advises on clinical utility, and develops/revises policies, protocols, and SOPs. It also validates and adapts new methods and technologies, coordinates accreditation and proficiency testing, integrates with the LIS during upgrades, and improves efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time.

Responsibilities

• Oversee preparation and maintenance of records and reports; ensure specialty priorities and goals are met
• Evaluate and select testing methodologies; manage staff training and instrument performance
• Provide authoritative guidance on complex or emerging tests, including result interpretation and alternate testing strategies
• Advise organizational levels on clinical appropriateness, sensitivity/specificity, and potential interferences
• Develop and revise policies, protocols, and SOPs aligned with CAP, TJC, CLIA, and FDA standards
• Modify/adapt new methods and technologies; validate performance and establish reference intervals using statistical methods
• Review accreditation checklists, identify deficiencies, implement and monitor corrective actions
• Coordinate proficiency testing and investigate exceptions with corrective actions
• Work with Laboratory Information Manager to support LIS installation/upgrades (e.g., VistA, CPRS) ensuring data integrity and workflow accuracy
• Attend vendor training; troubleshoot complex instrument issues with vendor field service engineers
• Train and mentor employees, students, and staff on laboratory operations, policies, and SOPs
• Provide guidance on document management systems for proper development/review/update of lab documents
• Manage reagent/consumable/supply inventory (storage, stock adequacy, cost-effective utilization)
• Conduct market research and obtain vendor quotes as part of procurement evaluations
• Identify and correct issues impacting test performance, sample integrity, instrument function, and workflow
• Evaluate test data for assay procedures, linearity, interferences, and reference intervals
• Integrate quantitative/biochemical/physiologic/morphologic data to recommend confirmatory or follow-up testing
• Communicate effectively with healthcare providers, patients, and stakeholders

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college/university (or creditable equivalent foreign education)
• Certification: MLS (ASCP BOC/AMT), MT (ASCP BOR/AMT), or categorical/specialist certification related to the position (ASCP/AMT)
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11, gained while holding the required active certification status (or related certification tied to the lab section)
• Selective Service registration for eligible males
• Ability to pass required urinalysis drug screening (testing-designated position)
• Subject to background/security investigation; may require a trial period
• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment requirements with acceptable identification

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of employment
• Child care subsidy eligibility after 60 days (income-based)
• Retirement: federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K (up to 5% contribution)
• Insurance: health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options
• Telework: not available