Clinical Lab Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service with the responsibility for testing performed in Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Diagnostic sections at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, a tertiary healthcare facility that provides acute, intermediate, primary, psychiatric, and long term care 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week and on public holidays. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is responsible for assessing, conducting, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and reliability of test outcomes. This CLS showcases progressive clinical expertise and experience through the execution of testing protocols on various biological samples using both manual and automated techniques. Tasks encompass routine testing, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, and problem-solving. Any deviations from standard procedures, unexpected issues, or unfamiliar scenarios are escalated to the full performance CLS or above for guidance.

Under close supervision and daily guidance of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at or above the full performance level (FPL) the employee performs the following functions:

• Ability to demonstrate development in CLS procedures and testing.
• Accession samples and requests with appropriate documentation of any issues as applicable to each work area.
• Utilizes both manual and automated testing techniques.
• Performs routine testing, quality control, maintenance, and documentation of optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
• Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions of laboratory equipment.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member.
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).
• The Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service/Laboratory Director will assign all lab personnel to CLIA roles.
• Responsible for CLIA Laboratory Director delegated duties to include, but not limited to:
• Following the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
• Adhere to the laboratory's quality control policies, document quality control activities, instrument, and maintenance.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm; 4:00pm - 12:00am; or 12:00am - 8:00am, Monday - Friday (with rotating weekends and holidays). Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer 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 401K 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 #: 534-59435F; 534-59437F; 534-59485F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.