Clinical Lab Scientist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, 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.

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Duties

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The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) at this level perform more complex laboratory functions. Duties may include specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, or quality control specialist . The CLS serves as working primarily in one of the major sections of the clinical laboratory with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of (Chemistry, Immunology, Hematology/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology (blood bank), and Microbiology). These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS will perform as an experienced phlebotomist.

Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable.

Prepare specimens for analysis, ensures 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.

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.

Correlate quantitative data with the patient data (i.e., 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.

Accepts and enters verbal blood product orders for provider when emergent condition exists in order to allow safety features of VBECs to provide and protect patient care without untoward delay of blood product assignment.

The incumbent assists in the evaluation and implementation of new methodologies and instrumentation in the Laboratory.Independently performs statistical correlations between instrumentations or methodologies for all laboratory sections.

Collaborates with the Lead Medical Technologist of the appropriate section on the implementation.

Trains phlebotomist/technicians/technologists in the use of new procedures and instrumentation in the area he/she is covering.

Trains students from the Medical Laboratory Technician program and Clinical Laboratory Scientists as needed.Helps with high schools that participate in the shadow program.

Ensures activities associated with process improvement, customer service, data driven decision making, or team driven change are accomplished.

Each employee will ensure they complete the current mandatory hours of continuing education.

Responsible for maintaining the work area in a clean environment appropriate for the Section in which he/she is working.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : 8:00am-4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible : Not Authorized

Telework : Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Basic Requirements : To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

• 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).
• 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.
• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options listed.
• (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.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-11.(1) 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 level.

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.

(2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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.

Preferred Experience: 1 year of generalist experience preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

??????? Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, moderate lifting of instruments and materials up to 50 pounds, walking moderate distances, mental alertness, and ability to work under pressure due to meeting established timetables for documentation, hardware/software failures and resolutions. Some assignments require sitting at a computer workstation for moderate periods of time.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.