Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the Danville VA Illiana Healthcare System located at 1900 E Main St. Danville - IL 61832 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: Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f) Education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): A bachelor\'s degree or higher from an accredited college or university Certification: 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 Grade Determinations: Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9) OR - Education Must have three (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 GS-11 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. Duties This is considered full performance level (FPL) for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (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 including - but not limited to - Hematology - Chemistry - lmmunohematology (Blood Bank) - Microbiology - Immunology - Cytogenetics - Anatomic Pathology - Electron Microscopy - Molecular Diagnostics - and Flow Cytometry A CLS is responsible for performing the pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing 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 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 This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective manner Major Duties: -Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training on the operation of new test systems - Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed - Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services - Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results - Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements - Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results - Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems - Monitors and maintains inventory including reagents - calibrators - quality control - etc - Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient - Provides technical advice to staff and other health care members - Assists with staff competency assessment as applicable - Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988 - Assumes responsibility for the instruction and coordination of teaching activities for Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in order to fulfill the requirements of a NMCLS-accredited CLS Program Work Schedule: Full Time Rotating Days Monday-Friday 6:00AM-4:30PM with rotating weekends - holidays and on call Compressed/Flexible: Compressed- 10 hour days Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 06376F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr