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.

Responsibilities

• Independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis
• Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• Assigns priority to test requests and executes them expeditiously for use in critical care situations
• Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests
• Specific 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 program
• This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing
• Duties require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision
• The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates as appropriate course of action
• 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 manner
• Provides direction, work review, and job training to students and less experienced CLS's
• Works effectively with both laboratory and non-laboratory staff to clearly convey malfunctioning problems to outside service representatives and competently follow instruction for instrument repair
• Works on weekend, holiday, or irregular shifts or in other sections to provide laboratory coverage for routine or emergency procedures as needed or directed by management

Requirements

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to CLS positions in the GS-0644 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (given by ASCP BOC or AMT) or a Medical Technologist (given by ASCP BOR or AMT)
• English Language Proficiency: CLSs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• May 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)
• Foreign Education: To 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 credentials
• Gratuitous Provision: Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07, GS-09, GS-11

Qualifications

Experience - Candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level OR Education - Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science

• 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

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 of performance improvement
• Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions
• Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education

Physical Requirements

• The work requires regular and recurring standing, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center
• The work involves manual dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time
• Requires intermittent moderate lifting (915-44 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), use fingers (both hands required), intermittent - but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling
• Ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens, ability to hear (aid permitted), and work in an environment with constant noise
• Working closely with others, high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy, emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations

Total Rewards

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: 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 for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Veterans' preference is waived under the provisions in P.L115-46