Clinical Laboratory Scientist

About the role

Join the Indian Health Service as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist providing vital, life-saving diagnostics to American Indian communities. Advance your career, enjoy competitive benefits, and be part of a mission that transforms lives every day.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine and specialized clinical laboratory testing using manual and automated methodologies in areas such as chemistry, microbiology, hematology, molecular diagnostics, immunology, and immunohematology.
• Interpret and verify test results, troubleshoot testing discrepancies and equipment malfunctions, and implement corrective actions to ensure accurate laboratory results.
• Collect, prepare, and evaluate patient specimens while ensuring proper handling, preservation, and documentation procedures.
• Perform quality control, proficiency testing, equipment calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting activities in compliance with laboratory accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Support laboratory operations through quality assurance activities, procedure development, inventory management, and technical guidance to laboratory staff.

Requirements

This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Priorities

• A full 4-year course of study that includes 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization.
• Completion of one (1) year of graduate-level education from an accredited college or university in clinical laboratory science/medical technology, a discipline or specialized area of medical technology, or a field directly related and applicable to medical technology or the position to be filled.
• A combination of graduate education and specialized experience that, when combined, meet the minimum qualifications as described above for the GS-07 grade level.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in clinical laboratory science/medical technology, a discipline or specialized area of medical technology, or a directly related field applicable to the position. Applicants must also meet one of the following Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) requirements: (1) a cumulative GPA of 2.95 or higher on a 4.0 scale; (2) a GPA of 3.45 or higher in the major field of study or during the last two years of undergraduate study; (3) graduation in the top third of the graduating class; or (4) membership in a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
• Completion of 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's or equivalent graduate degree, from an accredited college or university in clinical laboratory science/medical technology, a discipline or specialized area of medical technology, or a field directly related and applicable to medical technology or the position to be filled.
• A combination of graduate education and specialized experience that, when combined, meet the minimum qualifications as described above for the GS-09 grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the first 18 semester hours may be used in combination with specialized experience.
• One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: conducting and evaluating complex clinical laboratory testing in areas such as chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, and immunohematology using established and adapted methodologies; interpreting test data, evaluating abnormal or unexpected findings, independently troubleshooting testing discrepancies, and implementing corrective actions to ensure accurate laboratory results; calibrating, standardizing, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory instrumentation; resolving specimen handling issues and preparing specimens for specialized testing; and performing quality control, supporting proficiency testing and accreditation activities, and ensuring compliance with laboratory safety and regulatory requirements.