Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Full Job Description

The position of Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is located within Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service of Columbia VA Health Care System in Columbia, SC.

A CLS at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory to include routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting.

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.

English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

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.

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).

Grade Determinations: GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (1) Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9).

Some examples of experience, not limited to, evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results.

Demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods.

his includes routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving.

Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance.

OR (2) 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.

(3) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, you must demonstrate all the following KSAs clearly in your resume: 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.

Preferred Experience: Greater than 3 years experience in a medium or large medical center.

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.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and bending.

Occasionally lifts heavy containers of supplies or equipment. Major Duties:

Total Rewards: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional *This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 8, 2026.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 21, 2026.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position is filled.* Duties include, but not limited to: Recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.

Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis, taking into account physiologic processes and requirements.

Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions.

Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results.

Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge.

Interprets findings and makes recommendations. Prioritizes work according to urgency and turnaround time criteria.

Complies with rules and standards of multiple regulatory and accreditation bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), AABB, FDA, OSHA, VHA, P&LM National Enforcement Program, etc.

Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.

Assists in the training of new employees, affiliated Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MT/CLS) or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) students, other healthcare students or residents and volunteers.

Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students. Communicates and documents critical values according to established protocols.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 12:00am-8:00am with rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 58954F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized