Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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.

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. Certification.

Candidates must meet one of the certification options below: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.

Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403.

Grade Determinations, (Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11): Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience.

1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR 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: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.

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

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

Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.

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: As generalist, working in Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Blood Bank, and limited Microbiology.

(This will be used to determine best qualified.) 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-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs, Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability and ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: Evaluates the suitability of specimens for analysis, requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist will also prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that proper specimen properties are maintained. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments.

Evaluates and sets up new instrumentation and tests, including method correlations, linearity, precision, and accuracy studies.

Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring.

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

Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors test performance using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols.

Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction, locating and implementing corrections. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.

Evaluates the validity of data within the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates test data with patient clinical history prior to verifying results.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Varying Shifts, Weekends and Holidays 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 visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: FS 517-25089-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.