Clinical Lab 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.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403 (f)
  • Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
  • Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Experience or Education:
  • Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
  • Education: Must have 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, and Abilities

• Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work
• 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

Duties

• Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results
• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the CLS occupation
• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• Recognizes deviation from expected results and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors that influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies' standards and requirements
• Affirms ongoing day-to-day compliance with established protocols and guidelines, maintaining awareness and compliance of all applicable regulatory standards

Total Rewards

• Duties of an Allied Health Professional
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized