Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Evening Shift)

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7407(a).
• English 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 university.
• Certification: Must meet one of the certification options below:
  • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
  • Categorical or specialist certifications by ASCP or AMT
• Exception for Non-Certified: Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.
• Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable.

Skills

• 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.
• 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.

Duties

• Performs a broad range of standard, advanced, and complex laboratory procedures, recognizes deviations from expected results, analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles, and recognizes and communicates predefined critical results to appropriate staff.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens, understands specimen requirements, and accounts for physiologic processes that may affect specimen analysis.
• Maintains laboratory equipment and documents maintenance according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Performs instrument calibrations and repairs, provides preventive maintenance, identifies instrument malfunctions, and documents and resolves deviations of instrument performance.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
• Prepares reports, maintains records, administrative information, prepares and presents work related information to supervisor.
• Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area.
• Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative moderate and complex testing methods in all the assigned laboratory specialty areas.
• Is responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty areas.
• Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation.
• Maintains and calibrates instrumentation and equipment to ensure correct performance.
• Troubleshoots instrumentation and equipment problems during the shift to ensure uninterrupted testing.
• Is responsible as a primary source of information for maintaining current instrumentation.
• Is responsible for evaluation of new and evolving developments in laboratory instrumentation and automation.
• Performs all assigned duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP, FDA, JC, AABB, and OSHA.
• Collaborates with other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty area.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Pay

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

Schedule

Monday - Friday - 3:30pm - 12:00am (Rotating Weekends and Holidays)

Benefits

Not specified

Contact

Contact Dean.Sitzler@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance