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. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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 CitizenshipCitizen of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) English Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403 (f)Education -Transcripts Submitted: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or universityCertification-Documentation Required - Candidates must meet one of the certification options below: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMTGeneralist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMTCategorical 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 heldMay 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)REFERENCE: Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 Foreign 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 credentialsNOTE: Possession of a certification identified above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is neededGrandfathering ProvisionEmployees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard (12/3/2024) - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicableGrade 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-11: Experience or Education Requirement-Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelOR 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 scienceKnowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience or education 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 educationAssignmentThis is considered FPL for a CLSA CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratoryThe CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirementsThe work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry - microbiology - immunology - hematology - and immunohematologyTesting procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methodsIn addition to routine testing - the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshootingThe CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional testsSpecific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer - analyzer specialist - primary operator on new test systems - quality control specialist - supply control - and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey programThis assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testingThese tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervisionThe CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of actionThis assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective mannerReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions include but are not limited to: Function in the Microbiology section of the Clinical LaboratoryPerform routine and STAT testing - quality control - routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshootingPerform - evaluate - interpret - and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are metCorrelate abnormal lab data with pathological states - determine the validity of test results - and the need for additional testsExpress independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervisionAssess situations - consider options - and formulate appropriate courses of actionMonitor quality control systems - collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and provide education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective mannerWork off-hour shifts - weekends and holidays as priorities demonstrate a needWork Schedule: 8am to 4:30pm - rotational shifts including weekends and holidaysEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAV08NFLCCOE@va.gov - the EDRP team for questions/assistanceLearn more Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 55468F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized