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 eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish 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 universityForeign EducationTo 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 credentialsGraduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree programOR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examinationNOTE: Possession of a certification identified above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is neededCertification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below(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 certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMTNOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification heldCategorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including - 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 qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard (12/03/2024) - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicableFor employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level (GS-11) - or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level (GS-11) or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions(2) If an assignment above the FPL (GS-11) requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements - employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted(3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard(4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation(5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupationNOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placementsGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specifiedClinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:(a) Experience1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelOR(b) EducationMust 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 scienceClinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent workKnowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvementSkill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processesAbility to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentationAbility to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory resultsAbility to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructionsAbility to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient educationReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Buffalo VA Medical Center - Buffalo - NYThe incumbent functions as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (formerly Medical Technologist) may be required to rotate within the clinical laboratory departments (bacteriology - chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology) - molecular biology - coagulation - flow cytometry - genetics - hematology - immunology - immunohematology (blood banking) - mycology - parasitology - serology - urinalysis - and virology) - on an as needed basisPerforms a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupationIn addition - performs advanced moderate and high complexity laboratory proceduresrecognizes deviation from expected resultsanalyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles using a comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent workPerforms testing by being able to interpret and apply complex written instructionsOrganizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines of routine and urgent testingEvaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis - taking into account physiologic processes and requirementsMaintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipmentUses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipmentDiagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction and troubleshoots deviations to maintain optimal operating conditions and accuracy of test resultsUses independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory resultsPerforms and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvementIdentifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions for testing platforms - quality control or patient results that deviate from expected performanceAnswers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors which influence test resultsInterprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or proceduresEvaluates 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 knowledgeIncorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education programAdheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety - biosecurity - and infection prevention in the workplaceCommunicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team memberProvides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testingAbility to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service - and patient educationWork Schedule: Intermittent - 4pm - 12am including weekends Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more 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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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.