Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at Naval Medical Center with the Directorate of Clinical Support, Lab/Clinical Pathology, Core Laboratory Division in San Diego, California.Incumbent will serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Hematology Supervisor within the Core Laboratory.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.

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Duties

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• Research and address the most complex and exacting regulatory and accreditation compliance issues, including issues related to cutting edge policy and practice of laboratory administration and science.
• Participate in Department and Directorate-level planning and assist in the formulation of strategy and tactics related to laboratory capabilities, capital equipment acquisition, staffing and personnel strategies.
• Ensure that all other elements of Good Laboratory Practices (and, where applicable, Current Good Manufacturing Practices) not otherwise mentioned are maintained.
• In addition to routine diagnostic work, focus attention on strategic planning, complex problem-solving, personnel management, technique development, research, and maintaining compliance with myriad standards and regulations.
• Plan, implement, and coordinate state-of-the-art quality control programs, and ensure participation in acceptable proficiency testing programs in all areas of laboratory medicine.
• Ensure that quality control and quality assurance programs are established and maintained to ensure the quality of lab services provided to identify failures in quality as they occur.
• Plan and conduct studies on technical and administrative problems involving personnel shortages, organizational structure, new technology, program deficiencies, reporting systems, etc.; recommends changes based on findings.
• Assess operating costs and develop budget input.
• Ensure that testing systems developed and used for each of the tests performed in the lab provide quality laboratory services for all aspects of test performance, which includes the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing.
• Ensure all remedial actions are taken and documented whenever significant deviations from the lab's established performance characteristics are identified and that patient test results are reported only when the system is functioning properly.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter.
• This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• This position requires screening for applicable immunizations or pre-existing immunity regardless of job series. This position is subject to screening and update of required immunizations unless exempted for medical or administrative reasons.
• This position has a mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirement and is subject to annual vaccination unless exempted by professional medical personnel or for administrative reasons.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 40 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
• This position is required to work uncommon tours of duty hours such as, on-call, working either fixed or rotating shifts, evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Incumbent may be exposed to biohazard materials. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment required.
• This position requires the incumbent to fulfill credentialing requirements for non-privileged providers.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Clinical Laboratory Scientist:

A. A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

OR

B. At least a full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology.

OR

C. A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university that included 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in A or B above. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.

Evaluation of Education and Experience: The four major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying course work in these areas includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immunoserology, immuno-deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cyto-genetics, and similar disciplines or areas of laboratory practice.

Related fields include physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, statistics, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related to the position to be filled.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0644 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

AND

Certification Requirement: Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologist (AMT) or other board or registry deemed comparable by Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD(HA)) or their designee as a Medical Technologist (MT), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) is required. (Copy of certification must be submitted with application package.)

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: To qualify based on your work experience, your resume must describe one year of specialized experience which includes 1) performing clinical laboratory testing; 2) assisting with developing laboratory policy or procedures; 3) assuring compliance with quality control and proficiency testing programs; and 4) managing and/or providing guidance to laboratory personnel.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Advanced in-hire incentive MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Advanced leave accrual incentive MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

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.