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 standardized clinical laboratory testing in areas such as chemistry, hematology, microbiology, urinalysis, serology, and immunology using established procedures.
• Collect and prepare patient specimens for routine analysis.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepare reagents, controls, and reference materials and verify equipment performance.
• Recognize abnormal findings or testing discrepancies and report issues to supervisory or professional staff.
• Perform quality control, maintain laboratory records, and follow biosafety, infection control, and accreditation requirements.
• Evaluate specimen suitability and prepare specimens for analysis.
• Calibrate, standardize, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory instrumentation.
• Resolve specimen handling issues and prepare specimens for specialized testing.
• Interpret test data, evaluate abnormal or unexpected findings, independently troubleshoot testing discrepancies, and implement corrective actions to ensure accurate laboratory results.
• Resolve specimen handling issues and prepare specimens for specialized testing.
• Perform quality control activities while maintaining compliance with biosafety, infection control, accreditation, and laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Support proficiency testing and accreditation activities.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety, infection control, and regulatory standards.

Requirements

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, OR 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, OR a combination of graduate education and specialized experience that, when combined, meet the minimum qualifications as described above for the GS-07 grade level.

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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Priorities

• A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).
• The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3.
• 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.
• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• On-call hours or standby duty may be required.
• Physical Demands: The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Physical Demands

The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Indian Health Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.