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 eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Qualifications 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 (Transcripts Required) 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) Exception for Non-Certified: 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 identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency 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) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment 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 Assignment: Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09: Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade OR Education: Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science (Transcripts Required) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments Ability to read and interpret written instructions 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: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR 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 (Transcripts Required) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 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-7 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties Duties include but not limited to: The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) rotates with other technologist on a regular basis through the above‑mentioned areas S/He also works other assigned shifts: off‑hour shifts - weekends - and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need The duties and responsibilities of the CLS include but are not limited to the following: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the CLS (0644) occupation In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures recognizes deviation from expected results analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles Recognizes and communicates pre‑defined critical results affecting patient care Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic 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 established protocols Recognized and reacts to indicators of malfunction locates and implements corrections Performs 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 (i.e. - history - medications etc.) 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 Performs venipunctures and collects other specimens as required Instructs - assists - and advises medical technicians - students - medical staff - and patients as necessary regarding questions including - but not limited to - patient testing - specimen collection - equipment - and ordering requirements Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in‑service/continuing education program Adheres to all facility - local - state - and federal safety requirements Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines Work Schedule: 2nd Shift (4pm - 12am) 3rd Shift (12am - 8am) - Rotating Weekends & Holidays for both shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact View email address on click.appcast.io - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs