Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites (i.e. Health Care Center) as assigned.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the full performance level but has higher levels of professional responsibilities, expertise, and authority for a specific department (i.e. Core Lab, Microbiology, or Blood Bank) and will rotate with other CLS's within the department. Has professional oversight responsibilities and responsibility for specific large scale automated analytical instrument systems;

a specific area of laboratory functions, supply functions, quality control review, new method development, and employee or student training; and provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and CLS's on all shifts.

The duties and responsibilities of the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist includes but are not limited to the following:

Performs all of the duties outlined in this functional statement in the Hematology and Chemistry department at the Medical Center and Health Care Centers.

Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.

Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.

Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports.

Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.

Documents and maintain all quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs; performs instrument to instrument correlations, new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance.

Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.

Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Tracks down "missing" tubes, samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation.

Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system.

Successfully performs CAP surveys, linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test. Reviews proficiency testing results prior to submitting to CAP.

When equipment, control and/or calibrator problems present themselves, is able to troubleshoot and work with the manufacturer's hotline technicians to correct repairable problems. Documents corrective action in "corrective action logs". Performs and documents daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance on analyzers.

Participates in quality and performance improvement activities by collecting and reporting data as requested by the supervisor or performance improvement coordinator.

Serves as a primary operator and assumes all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the supervisor.

Reviews all new procedures, initially and annually thereafter, documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure. Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures.

Plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols and acceptable clinical laboratory practices.

Performs other directly related duties as assigned.

Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
. Rotating weekends and holiday. Also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demand.

Not Available

This is not a virtual position.

Not Authorized