Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary 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. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403 (f) Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or universityCertification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMTGeneralist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMTCategorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT Grade Determinations: GS-07 ExperienceNone beyond the basic requirementsGS-09 Experience or EducationCandidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower gradeOR EducationMaster's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related scienceGS-09 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testingKnowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principlesKnowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenanceAbility to work as a team member and effectively complete assignmentsAbility to read and interpret written instructionsAbility to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testingGS-11 Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelOR EducationMust have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related scienceGS-11 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent workKnowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvementSkill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processesAbility to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentationAbility to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory resultsAbility to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructionsAbility to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient educationReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11. Duties The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the VA Illiana Healthcare System - 1900 E Main StDanville - IL 61832VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package for Clinical Laboratory Scientists: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include - but not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupationEvaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirementsMaintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipmentUses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipmentPerforms and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvementAdheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplaceIdentifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutionsAnswers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test resultsInterprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or proceduresEvaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledgeInterprets findings and makes recommendationsIncorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education programCommunicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team memberProvides excellent service as defined by the customerMaintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training on the operation of new test systemsAssists in writing procedures and other documents as directedModifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand servicesDevelops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of resultsEnsures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirementsRecognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusionsPerforms validation/method verification studies for new systemsMonitors and maintains inventory including reagents - calibrators - quality control - etcConsults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patientProvides technical advice to staff and other health care membersAssists with staff competency assessment as applicableAssumes responsibility for the instruction and coordination of teaching activities for Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in order to fulfill the requirements of a NAACLS-accredited CLS ProgramOther duties as assignedWork Schedule: Full TimeMonday-Friday 4:00pm- MID - with rotating on-call - weekends - and holidaysRecruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VAPaid 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) 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 06374F - 06375F - 06376F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.