Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is a certified laboratory professional who performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including, but not limited to, Hematology, Chemistry, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Diagnostics. A CLS is responsible for performing the pre‑analytical, analytical, and post‑analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing. Basic Requirements 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. Certification. 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). Loss of Credential. If an employee fails to maintain the required certification, management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately remove them from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation. This may also result in separation from employment. If a CLS currently has, or ever had, their CLS certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status, HR Office staff must appoint them according to the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, paragraph 16. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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, GS‑07

• 1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• 2) Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a CLS entry‑level position. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require direct supervision daily.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS‑09

• 1) Experience or Education.
• a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• b) Education. Master’s degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher‑level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• 2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
• 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.
• 3) Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods. This 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. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS‑11

• 1) Experience or Education
• a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• 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.
• 2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
• 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.
• 3) 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.

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