Clinical Laboratory Scientist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex laboratory functions which requires a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision.
• Serves as primary operator on new test systems.
• Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and quality control.
• Maintains quality control systems and measures; reviews and monitors the validity of lab results.
• Participates in the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level clinical laboratory scientists or medical technician training programs in order to fulfill educational and professional requirements (where training programs exist).
• Provides technical training and guidance to students, healthcare providers, and other employees.
• Troubleshoots instruments, equipment, reagents, controls, and patient specimens when problems occur and notifies the supervisor if unable to solve the problem.
• Evaluates specimens for acceptability for proper testing.
• Investigates and documents problems with unacceptable specimens.
• Requests new and appropriately drawn/labeled specimens when necessary.
• Assures specimen identification.
• Accessions / bar codes specimens / blood, serum, plasma, and body fluids using established procedures and guidelines. Assures specimens are accessioned in appropriate areas.
• Controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure the physiological state of the specimen is maintained.
• Participates in the laboratory competency and proficiency/survey program.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of Medical Technologist experience.
• Must have ASCP or AMT certification.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: 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 AMT.