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 individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications 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. The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) – GS‑15 requires unique education requirements; please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below. Certification – Candidates must meet one of the following certification options:

• 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 or specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. Note that categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the certification held.

Higher‑graded positions such as 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 may accept categorical or specialist certifications. Exception for Non‑Certified applicants – 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 that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT. Non‑Certified applicants who otherwise meet eligibility may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. §7405(c)(2). They may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL, may only be appointed at entry level, may not be promoted until certification is obtained, and temporary appointments may not exceed 2 years or be converted to a new appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification – CLSs must actively work to meet certification requirements starting from the date of placement. HR will provide written requirements and deadlines. Failure to obtain certification during the period may result in separation from employment. Foreign Education – To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to a U.S. program by an accepted evaluation agency. Graduates of foreign bachelor’s programs meet requirements if foreign transcripts are evaluated as equivalent to a NAACLS‑approved U.S. clinical laboratory science program or if a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT states the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. Possession of a certification identified above automatically validates foreign education. Grandfathering Provision – Members covered by the VA Qualification Standard may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision (only for current VHA employees who meet criteria). Grade Determinations – In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet grade‑determining criteria for placement at GS‑07 to GS‑11. Experience Requirements – At GS‑07 none beyond basic. At GS‑09 either 1 year of creditable experience or a master’s degree (or two academic years of graduate education). At GS‑11 either 1 year of experience or 3 full years of graduate education/Ph.D. in medical technology or related science. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – For GS‑9 and GS‑11 levels, candidates must demonstrate relevant KSAs such as knowledge of laboratory testing policies, quality control, equipment, team work, interpreting instructions, performing pre‑ and post‑analytical phases, informatics, troubleshooting, and communicating with the healthcare team. Physical Requirements – Intermittent moderate lifting (15‑44 lbs), light carrying (under 15 lbs), use of fingers, both hands required, walking up to 4 hours, standing up to 4 hours, bending up to 2 hours, possible stooping and kneeling, color discrimination, near vision correctable at 13‑16 inches, reading ordinary type, hearing, teamwork, high cognitive function, emotional stability, and wearing required personal protective equipment. Duties Perform the full range of tests in Hematology/Coagulation, Blood Bank, Automated Chemistry, General Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Microbiology. Evaluate specimen suitability, request new specimens if unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, maintaining physiologic state. Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor test procedures using manual and instrumental techniques per established protocols. Recognize and react to indicators of malfunction, locate and implement corrections. Conduct quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products; maintain proper records. Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain instruments. Verify instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks. Identify common problems and make simple repairs. Evaluate validity of data relative to test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlate quantitative data with patient data to verify results. Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal results. Recognize abnormal results requiring immediate physician attention and report directly. Generate laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system; edit and verify records. Comply with regulatory agency protocol (JC, OSHA, etc.). Participate in training new employees, clinical laboratory science students, and medical students. Rotate to another section/shift as needed by management based on workload and staffing. Assist supervisory personnel by retrieving and compiling test records and maintaining inventory. Perform any other duties necessary for patient care as determined by supervisor. Work schedule: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm, rotating weekends and holidays. Scheduled days off rotate as needed. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible. Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – EDRP Coordinator for questions. Compensation: Competitive salary with regular increases. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Selected applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service. Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days, full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 may qualify for a childcare subsidy up to 25 % of eligible costs (max $416.66 per month). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care. Telework and virtual: None available. Functional Statement #: 71000-F / 71001-F / 71002-F. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs