Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Job Title

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Location

James J. Peters VA Medical Center

Duties

This position is located in the James J. Peters VA Medical Center functioning as a generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine service (P&LM), with the primary responsibility to provide the patients at the medical center with testing in the areas of Blood Banking, Clinical Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology, Immunology, Microbiology (minimal selective testing), molecular diagnostics, and Urinalysis in support of direct patient care. The generalist clinical laboratory scientist at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The incumbent is responsible for providing coverage on dayshift tour of duty with scheduled rotations on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), holidays and on-call coverage as needed.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs complex laboratory functions which requires a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision.
• Serves as primary operator on new test systems.
• Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and quality control.
• Monitoring quality control systems and measures; reviews and monitors the validity of lab results.
• Participates in the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level clinical laboratory scientists or medical technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist).
• Provides technical training and guidance to students, healthcare providers, and other employees.
• Troubleshoots instruments, equipment, reagents, controls, and patient specimens when problems occur and notifies the supervisor if unable to solve the problem.
• Evaluates specimens for acceptability for proper testing.
• Investigates and documents problems with unacceptable specimens.
• Requests new and appropriately drawn/labeled specimens when necessary.
• Assures specimen identification.
• Accessions / bar codes specimens / blood, serum, plasma, and body fluids using established procedures and guidelines. Assures specimens are accessioned in appropriate areas.
• Controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure the physiological state of the specimen is maintained.
• Participates in the laboratory competency and proficiency/survey program.

Preferred Experience/Certification

At least 3 years of Medical Technologist experience. Must have ASCP or AMT certification.

Work Schedule

Full-Time, 8:00am-4:30pm with rotating weekends and holidays

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 #

12222-F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs