Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) - Blood Bank

Summary 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. Qualifications 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. 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) – GS-15 – requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below Certification. 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.
• c) 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). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) – GS-12 Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions. 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. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section. Preferred Experience: Five (5) years of experience working in a Transfusion Medicine Service (Blood Bank) and possess ASCP Advanced Certification as a Blood Bank Technical Specialist – SBB (ASCP). Positive and encouraging attitude with the ability to inspire and motivate others while fostering a productive and collaborative work environment. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation – see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing – lifting – carrying – sitting – stooping – bending – puling – and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions. The area is adequately lighted – heated – and ventilated. However – the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional: The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) – Blood Bank performs the full range of Transfusion Medicine procedures including ABO/Rh – antibody screen – antibody identification – compatibility testing – Direct Antiglobulin testing – antigen typing – donor unit confirmation – component modifications – issuance of blood products – Transfusion Reaction workups – Quality Control testing – and equipment maintenance and function tests. The employee follows all current Good Manufacturing Processes and enters documentation of all testing in the Facility's Electronic Medical Record. Major duties for the position include: Performs the full range of Transfusion Medicine procedures including ABO/Rh – antibody screen – antibody identification – compatibility testing – Direct Antiglobulin Testing – antigen typing – donor unit confirmation – component modifications – issuance of blood products – Transfusion Reaction workups – Quality Control testing – and equipment maintenance and function tests. The incumbent follows all current Good Manufacturing Processes and enters documentation of all testing in the Facility's Electronic Medical Record. Coordinating therapeutic apheresis procedures. Serving as subject matter expert when Blood Bank is required to oversee the policies and procedures of outside services; Serves as the Acting Supervisor on behalf of the Section Supervisor as needed. Performing a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing – reporting – documenting – troubleshooting – maintenance – and other tasks of a Blood Bank Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Receiving – accessioning and processing incoming samples per Standard Operating Procedure. Looking up orders – results and other pertinent patient information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and entering results and other relevant information into the EMR. Verifying and reporting results promptly – communicating and documenting all “Significant Results” according to laboratory policy. Collaborating with healthcare professionals – physicians – and pathologists to clarify test results to support clinical decisions. Maintaining and documenting optimal laboratory equipment function – promptly informing the Section Supervisor of any deviations or malfunctions. Completing all quality assurance monitors according to SOP. Adhering to safety policies – standard precautions and using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on situation. Generating incident reports as needed. Training new employees – students – residents and clinicians on test performance. Performs Competency Assessments on all staff. Accounting for all accessioned specimens by reviewing the Incomplete Test Status Log throughout the day. Reviewing results to ensure patient results are accurate – initiating corrective actions as needed – and informing Supervisor of errors. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm – with rotating weekends and holidays as needed for clinical coverage (subject to change based on the needs of the Agency needs). #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs