Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Blood Bank

Overview This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after review by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Qualifications United States Citizenship : Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education : Must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certification : Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Categorical or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. For higher‑graded positions, appropriate lab sections or non‑section specific assignments are acceptable (e.g., 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). Loss of Credential : If an employee fails to maintain required certification, management officials in collaboration with HR Office staff must remove the employee from duties associated with this occupation; this may result in separation from employment. Grandfathering Provision : May qualify based on coverage by the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria). Foreign Education : Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an acceptable agency and found equivalent to a NAACLS‑approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program, or Submit a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating eligibility to take the certification examination. Possession of all certifications above automatically determines foreign education as creditable without further documentation. Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service for specific requirements. English Language Proficiency : Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Creditable Experience : Experience must involve knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current CLS practices; may be paid or non‑paid employment as a CLS in the health‑care field. Research laboratory experience does not fulfill this requirement. Quality of Experience : Experience must be at a level comparable to CLS experience at the next lower grade level. For assignments above full performance level (FPL), higher‑level duties must be performed at least 25 % of the time. Grade Determinations for GS‑11 : 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities : Professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts and theories supporting sound independent work. Laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. Informatics – laboratory data flow and laboratory processes. Maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of instrumentation. Independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. Reading, interpreting and applying complex written instructions. Communication, consultation and interaction with other members of the health‑care team, external relations, customer service and patient education. Assignment and Responsibilities : Independently carry out day‑to‑day laboratory operations. Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate and validate laboratory procedures and results in line with regulatory requirements. Work across specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology and immunohematology. Perform quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. Correlate abnormal lab data with pathological states; determine validity of test results and need for additional tests. Possible specialized roles include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control and coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. Limited duties in lab information management and ancillary testing may be required. Organize and set priorities with minimal technical supervision; formulate an appropriate course of action. Monitor quality control systems and collaborate in diagnosis, treatment of patients and education of laboratory health‑care professionals and the public. Preferred Experience : At least 5 years of blood bank experience. Reference : For more information on this qualification standard – Physical Requirements Detailed : Regular standing, use of microscopes, lifting, loading and unloading reagent packs, working at desk or bench. Must follow special safety precautions and use personal protective equipment such as laboratory coats, aprons, gloves, safety goggles, face shields, chemical fume hoods and adopt sterile techniques. Duties Position is located at James J Peters VA Medical Center functioning as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in the Blood Bank Section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LM). Primary responsibility to provide patients with testing in immunohematology – flow cytometry (cell flow) and blood donor services supporting direct patient care. Perform routine and specialized work in the blood bank with full technical competency, independence and minimal supervision. The blood bank is designated by the FDA, AABB and the Joint Commission as a full‑service laboratory. Responsible for solving problems with instrumentation, adapting new methods to improve service. Responsible for monitoring quality control systems and providing education for other laboratory and health‑care professionals. Provide coverage to the blood bank 100 % of the time; scheduled on regular day tours with weekend, holiday and on‑call coverage as needed. Perform blood bank and cell flow analyses; may handle up to 10 % of time with quality‑control management, proficiency testing, reagent/supply inventory and performance‑improvement program. Work schedule: Monday to Friday, full‑time, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. with rotating weekends and holidays. Benefits & Compensation Competitive salary with regular salary increases. Paid time off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Parental leave: After 12 months, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Child care subsidy: After 60 days, eligible employees with total family income below $144,000 may receive up to 25 % of childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution. Federal insurance: health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs extend into retirement). Telework: Not available; virtual: this is not a virtual position. Contact For questions or assistance with EDRP, contact VISN2EDRP Coordinators at View email address on click.appcast.io. EEO Statement The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is an equal opportunity employer and values a culture of inclusion. Veterans are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs