Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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 Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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: (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; (c) 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). (2) Exception for Non-Certified: (a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency. (b) Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases – CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment – the Human Resources (HR) Office staff – in collaboration with the supervisor – will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification – including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment. 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; (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. 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: 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‑07: Experience – None beyond the basic requirements. Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS‑09: Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade – OR (b) Education – Master’s degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science. Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities at the GS‑9 level: In addition to the experience or education above – the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing; (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles; (c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance; (d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments; (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions; (f) Ability to accurately perform pre‑analytical, analytical, and post‑analytical phases of testing. Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS‑11: 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 – 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 at the GS‑11 level: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑07 to GS‑11. 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 personal protective equipment as required. Duties Clinical Laboratory Scientist (formerly Medical Technologist): responsibilities include performing the full range of tests in Hematology/Coagulation, Blood Bank, Automated Chemistry, General Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Microbiology. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis – requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis – ensuring the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with the established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (e.g., history, medications) to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Complies with regulatory agency protocol (e.g., JC, OSHA, etc.). Participates in training new employees, clinical laboratory science students, and medical students. Rotates to another section/shift as deemed necessary by management based on workload and staffing requirements. Assists supervisory personnel by retrieving and compiling test records and maintaining inventory by assessing needs – receiving supplies – and restocking areas. Performs any other duties which are in the best interests of patient care and deemed necessary by the supervisor. Work Schedule: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm – rotating weekend(s) & holiday(s); scheduled days off will be rotating and at the needs of the service. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time 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 401(k) 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 #: 71000‑F / 71001‑F / 71002‑F. #J-18808-Ljbffr