Clinical Laboratory Scientist

About the role

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is a certified laboratory professional who performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including, but not limited to, Hematology, Chemistry, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), Microbiology, Immunology, Cytogenetics, Anatomic Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Molecular Diagnostics, and Flow Cytometry. A CLS is responsible for performing the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing.

Responsibilities

• Collect, develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Perform testing in specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology using manual or automated methods on biological specimens and/or environmental samples.
• Conduct quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting.
• Correlate abnormal lab data with pathological states, determine the validity of test results, and identify the need for additional tests.
• Carry out targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects, which may include roles such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, or coordinator for laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey programs.
• Perform limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing.
• Organize and set priorities with minimal technical supervision, assess situations, consider options, and formulate appropriate courses of action.
• Monitor quality control systems and measures, collaborate in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provide education to laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.
• Complete other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the following:
  • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
  • Categorical or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.
• Exception for Non-Certified: Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward certification if they meet eligibility routes identified in Appendix A to take the MLS or AMT certification exam. Non-certified applicants may only provide care under supervision of a certified CLS and may not be promoted or converted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments may not be extended beyond 2 years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to obtain certification may result in separation from employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation and maintain required certification; failure to maintain certification may result in removal from duties and possible separation.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07

• No experience beyond basic requirements.
• Serves in an entry-level position with daily direct supervision.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

• Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or
• Education: Master’s degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
  • Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
  • Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Serves as a developmental CLS with less frequent supervision than at the entry level.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11

• Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or
• Education: 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.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles.

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

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.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays).
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• 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 (monthly maximum of $416.66).
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance (many programs can be carried into retirement).