Summary

This job involves working as a generalist clinical lab scientist in a VA hospital in the Bronx, performing tests on patient samples to help diagnose and treat veterans' health issues across various lab areas like blood work and microbiology.

It's a good fit for someone with a science background who enjoys hands-on lab work, has the right certification, and wants to serve in a government healthcare setting with benefits like student loan repayment.

The role requires attention to detail and the ability to handle a range of lab tasks in a team environment.

Key Requirements

U.S. citizenship (or rare non-citizen appointment)
Bachelor's degree or higher in clinical laboratory science or related field from an accredited institution
Certification as MLS or MT from ASCP or AMT, or equivalent categorical/specialist certification
Proficiency in spoken and written English
One year of experience equivalent to GS-9 level, or advanced graduate education (3 years or Ph.D.) for GS-11
Ability to maintain certification; loss may lead to removal from position
Meet physical requirements per VA occupational health standards

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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), Certification.

(1) 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.

NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held.

Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).

Loss of Credential.

If an employee fails to maintain the required certification, management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation.

This may also result in separation from employment Grandfathering Provision.

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).

NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S.

must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S.

clinical laboratory science degree program. OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements English Language Proficiency.

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

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11.

(1) Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (b) Education.

Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.

(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. (c) Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.

(d) Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation. (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.

(f) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.

(g) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education Assignment. This is considered FPL for a CLS.

A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory.

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.

The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests.

Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program.

This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing.

These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision.

The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action.

This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.

Preferred Experience: 3 years or more of working as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS11 Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion, such as standing for long periods of time, use of microscopes, some lifting loading and unloading reagent packs, sitting at desk, counter, or bench top with operations of the computer terminals, telephones, and various workstations associated with the respective instrumentations in use.

- Is required to follow special safety precautions (Standard Precautions) in the laboratory at all times where the risk of exposure to contagious disease, carcinogenic materials, caustic reagents, noxious fumes, and flammable liquids.

- Is required to use personal protective equipment or gear, such as laboratory coats, aprons, gloves safety goggles, face shields, chemical fume, and biological hoods, and adopt sterile techniques in the daily work environment.

Major Duties:

The James J.

Peters VAMC is currently recruiting for 1 Full Time Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) for Pathology and Laboratory Medical Service Duties include but are not limited to: A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory.