Lead Clinical Chemistry Scientist

The Lead Chemistry Scientist at Inova Health System provides clinical consultations, oversees test result interpretations, and ensures quality across all phases of Clinical Chemistry testing. The role includes developing staff training programs, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards (JCAHO, CLIA, CAP), and collaborating with leadership to guide technical and scientific operations. Responsibilities also include method validation, quality control, and policy management.

Job Responsibilities:

• Oversees and assists team members in assigned functional area, which may include but not limited to, ensuring team is meeting key-deliverables and quality standards, addressing and resolving challenges, and escalates issues to senior leaders as needed.
• Leads the Chemistry Clinical Practice Team, driving standardization of test methods and instrumentation across Inova Laboratories.
• Collaborates with physicians, lab staff, vendors, and reference labs on test interpretation and implementation of new methods. Evaluates and recommends diagnostic technologies and oversees related financial and technical analyses.
• Develops and delivers educational programs for MLS students, residents, and staff; supervises student projects and staff competency evaluations.
• Monitors quality control and proficiency testing, identifies trends, and implements corrective actions to improve patient care.
• Supports accreditation readiness through CAP inspections and regulatory compliance.
• Provides strategic oversight of workflow, facilities, and test portfolios, including long-term planning for test menu evolution. Assesses reference lab utilization and recommends in-house testing opportunities.
• Maintains expertise in Clinical Chemistry to be an expert resource to staff and ensure best practices in test utilization and result interpretation.
• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Certification - Eligible for certification by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry
• Education - Doctorate PhD in clinical chemistry or fellowship in clinical chemistry

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing, monitoring, and maintaining quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) programs
• Experience working in a healthcare laboratory setting

We are Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Every day, our 25,000+ team members provide world-class healthcare to the communities we serve. Our people are the reason we're a national leader in healthcare safety, quality and patient experience. And from best-in-class facilities to professional development opportunities, we support them at every step. At Inova, we're constantly striving to be ever better — to shape a more compassionate future for healthcare. 

Inova Health System is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.