Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist)

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.

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

Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 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: 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 Submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

Certification: Must possess one of the below certifications 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.

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).

Grade Determinations GS-12 level: Experience - 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled.

In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-12 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities? 1.

Knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medico-legal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.

2.

Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures.

3. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions. 4.

Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. 5.

Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory. 6.

Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section.

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-12.

Physical Requirements: Intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 2 hours); intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to distinguish basic colors; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted)and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations; ability to wear required to personal protective equipment as required.

Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) serving in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) in the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System assigned to the Blood Bank.

The CLS serves as a Technical Specialist, providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge.

Duties or functions performed include but are not limited to: Provides expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge.

Specialties include, but are not limited to, molecular pathology, gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, and flow cytometry.

Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context.

Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing.

Develops policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing.

Manages implementation of new equipment and procedures to include validation studies and writing operating procedures.

Assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned.

The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner.

Works as a bench Clinical Laboratory Scientist as needed and performs duties specifically assigned to FPL CLS's in the section (see Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-0644-11 functional statement).

Work Schedule: The tour is 3:00 - 11:30 PM, rotating every other weekend and on holidays. Shifts will rotate from 5:00 PM to 1:30 AM on select weekdays. The tour will be discussed upon selection.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contac VISN 9 HR EDRP , for questions/assistance.

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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 #: 71010F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized